Kerry project to conserve and restore native woodlands on Iveragh peninsula
As well as benefits for nature, the project aims to reconnect local communities with natural heritage, create new opportunities through upskilling and investigating market opportunities, and ultimately hopes to create a blueprint that will inform policy and future agricultural support mechanisms.
EIP aims to address two challenges: a policy environment that makes it extremely difficult to create or restore native woodlands in upland areas - especially where they are designated for conservation - and diminishing farm viability in upland and hill settings.
This project proposes a new model for upland woodland restoration that complements existing farm systems and supports rural communities.
This four-year initiative is led by the charity Hometree and is co-funded by the European Union and Department of Agriculture.
It will offer participating farmers an initial participation fee, support for any restoration actions undertaken, and ongoing payments linked to ecological outcomes designed to work alongside existing payments.
Ray Ó Foghlú, project lead at Hometree, said the project has enormous potential for positive impact on Ireland's landscapes and habitats. It also benefits farmers financially and by creating and strengthening networks and opening up opportunities.
'I'm incredibly excited about the potential for positive impact this project will bring to south Kerry,' he said.
The project is supported by Munster Technological University, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Kerry County Council and other partners and local stakeholders.
Hometree is recruiting an ecologist and a local coordinator to work full-time on the project alongside a project manager and administrator.
See https://www.hometree.ie/joinourteam for more information and application details. Contact information: Ray Ó Foghlú at 087 224 9226. Lucy Taylor lucy@hometree.ie
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry project to conserve and restore native woodlands on Iveragh peninsula
With an estimated target of 300 hectares, the Iveragh Woodlands European Innovation Partnership (EIP) will focus on restoring old-growth remnants, facilitating natural regeneration, and, where needed, planting local provenance native saplings. As well as benefits for nature, the project aims to reconnect local communities with natural heritage, create new opportunities through upskilling and investigating market opportunities, and ultimately hopes to create a blueprint that will inform policy and future agricultural support mechanisms. EIP aims to address two challenges: a policy environment that makes it extremely difficult to create or restore native woodlands in upland areas - especially where they are designated for conservation - and diminishing farm viability in upland and hill settings. This project proposes a new model for upland woodland restoration that complements existing farm systems and supports rural communities. This four-year initiative is led by the charity Hometree and is co-funded by the European Union and Department of Agriculture. It will offer participating farmers an initial participation fee, support for any restoration actions undertaken, and ongoing payments linked to ecological outcomes designed to work alongside existing payments. Ray Ó Foghlú, project lead at Hometree, said the project has enormous potential for positive impact on Ireland's landscapes and habitats. It also benefits farmers financially and by creating and strengthening networks and opening up opportunities. 'I'm incredibly excited about the potential for positive impact this project will bring to south Kerry,' he said. The project is supported by Munster Technological University, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Kerry County Council and other partners and local stakeholders. Hometree is recruiting an ecologist and a local coordinator to work full-time on the project alongside a project manager and administrator. See for more information and application details. Contact information: Ray Ó Foghlú at 087 224 9226. Lucy Taylor lucy@
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Fifteen wild deer 'hotspots' set to receive management units to control populations
To control wild deer populations, 15 dedicated Deer Management Units across the country have been established. Deer management will be implemented in each of the 15 hotspots to bring the wild deer population down to a sustainable level. A contract to implement and deliver several recommendations from the Deer Management Strategy Group was awarded to FRS Co-Op in February of this year, which has now appointed local coordinators to lead the 15 units. They cover areas of the country with well-known hotspots for wild deer. The Deer Management Strategy was developed in 2023 and included a range of recommendations for the ongoing management of Ireland's wild deer population to ensure it is maintained at a sustainable level. The strategy was overseen and developed by a steering group that included representatives from the Department of Agriculture, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coillte, farmer representatives and other key stakeholders. The coordinators appointed by FRS Co-Op will work with landowners and licensed hunters within these areas. The co-op will not directly employ any hunters as part of its contract, but will oversee the coordination with local hunters and hunting groups who wish to participate in the deer management programme. The locally based coordinators for each Deer Management Unit will be engaging with farmers and landowners to identify issues relating to deer that currently exist and help facilitate deer management for the area by engaging with local hunters. Deer management units map These units aim to control wild deer populations to a sustainable level to help protect Ireland's natural environment, improve biodiversity in our woodlands and other habitats, protect farmland, and contribute to improving human safety by reducing the number of road traffic accidents involving deer. For the past number of decades, Ireland's wild deer population has increased significantly to the point where there is no accurate data on the exact deer population in the country at present. Although there is no specific data, there has been clear evidence of the growth of wild deer populations due to increased incidences of negative impacts as a result of deer populations, such as biodiversity loss, damage to natural woodlands and farmland, and increased road accidents involving deer. FRS Co-Op has established the Deer Management Units based on the available data, such as native woodland monitoring, commercial forest inventories, and road traffic accidents as a result of deer activity. A survey conducted as part of the final Deer Management Strategy report found more than 80% of stakeholders identified biodiversity loss, damage to farmland and road traffic safety as either 'very' or 'somewhat important' issues relating to the growth in the national deer population. Speaking on the announcement, manager of FRS Co-Op's deer management programme Michael Keegan said: 'I would urge landowners in deer hotspots to join a local deer management group or look to establish a deer management group for your area if one does not currently exist. FRS Co-Op is available to assist landowners seeking to establish local deer management groups.' Read More Kerry council to roll out pilot scheme to detect deer on roads in bid to prevent accidents
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
RTÉ creche kitchen among food businesses hit with closure orders in June
The closed kitchen and staff canteen area of the Wee Care creche at RTÉ's Donnybrook headquarters was among the businesses served with Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) closure orders in June. Overall, the FSAI served eight closure orders on food businesses last month, four under the FSAI Act, 1998, and four under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. On June 16, FSAI inspectors served a closure order, under the FSAI Act of 1998, to Wee Care creche's kitchen and staff canteen in Donnybrook, Dublin, after finding a "significant number of rodent droppings" on the floor behind and underneath two fridges, one freezer, and an oven in the kitchen. The two areas are closed-off areas. Further droppings were found behind and underneath a fridge in the staff canteen. In their report, the FSAI noted that adequate procedures were "not in place to control pests in the premises". The report also said there was a "grave and immediate danger to food safety" in the food premises due to rodent activity. The closure order was lifted two days later on June 18. During a June 25 inspection of Doolin Ice Cream's closed food store area in its yard on Fisher Street in Doolin, Co Clare, FSAI inspectors said they encountered a "significant number of rodent droppings" in the food store. Droppings were also noted in a box containing lids for smoothie cups, with plastic wrapping covering the lids damaged due to "gnawing by rodents". Droppings were also found on a shelf located directly beside boxes of cone wafers, as well as on the floor beside an ice cream freezer on site. The business was served with a closure order on the same date. The order was subsequently lifted on June 30. Under the FSAI Act of 1998, closure orders were also issued last month to: All Bar Chicken Coolock (Service Sector), located at 10A, Ringuard House, Malahide Road Industrial Estate, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17. The order was issued on June 10 and lifted on June 24; and Il Vicolo (Restaurant/Café), located at Bridge Mills, on O'Briens Bridge, in Galway City. The order was issued on June 4 and lifted on June 6. Under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020, closure orders were also issued last month to: Tunisian Halal Butcher, located at Unit 8, Aldi Centre, St Margarets Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. The order was issued on June 27 and lifted July 1; Frenchpark Service Station, specifically its rear store room used to store foodstuffs, located on the Dublin Road in Frenchpark, Roscommon. The order was issued on June 4 and was not noted as having been lifted at the time of writing; Fresh Today, located on Athboy Road in Trim, Co Meath. The order, which applied to the decanting and repacking of foodstuffs on the premises for retail to the final consumer, with the exception of fruit and vegetables, was issued on June 3. It was not noted as having been lifted at the time of writing; and Zone Activity Centre (closed activity: part of the activities of the business, its establishments, holdings, or other premises be ceased. The food stall activity located in the carpark at Zone Activity Centre) (Restaurant/ Café), located at unit 1 and 2, at the Mullaghboy Industrial Estate in Mullaghboy, Navan, Co Meath. The order was issued on June 6 and lifted the following day. Speaking on Wednesday, FSAI chief executive Greg Dempsey said that every food business has "a legal responsibility to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat". "Failures like poor hygiene, pest activity, and improper storage are basic errors that can have severe consequences to public health," he said. "Food safety isn't optional, it's essential." Mr Dempsey said that while the FSAI understands the daily pressures on businesses, "food safety and hygiene standards must be maintained at all times". "A robust food safety management system not only protects public health, but it also supports the long-term success of the food business," he added. "Non-compliance with food law is not tolerated and enforcement action will be taken where standards fall short.' Read More Parents warned against giving 'slushy' drinks to young children after reports of health risks
