A funding scheme to support landowners and community groups across Galway in undertaking nature-positive measures on their lands will open to applications from this Friday, March 15th.
The Hare’s Corner, an innovative biodiversity initiative, coordinated by the Burren-based landscape charity Burrenbeo Trust in conjunction with the Biodiversity Office of Galway County Council, is being rolled out following the successful piloting of the non-profit initiative in Clare and Mayo which resulted in the creation of 125 ponds, 200 orchards, 175 native mini-woodlands and 97 plans for nature.
Inspired by the term ‘The Hare’s Corner’ – an old farming expression for an awkward section of a field which wasn’t intensively farmed and so was ‘left to nature’ – the aim of this project is to help create habitats that have proven benefits to biodiversity, climate-action as well as to the wellbeing of participants.
The Hare’s Corner project offers landowners ‘hassle free’ support to carry out simple but impactful actions for biodiversity such as creation of a wildlife pond, a native mini-woodland, a heritage mini-orchard with apple trees from Irish Seedsavers Association and/or a bespoke ‘plan for nature’ or ‘peatland plan’ for their site. This support is offered in the form of materials such as native and heritage apple trees, micro-funding (e.g. machinery costs for pond digging), professional services (such as a hydrologist’s visit to help plan a pond, or an ecologist’s visit to ‘plan for nature’, or for a ‘peatland plan’) and guidance.
Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer with Galway County Council commented, “We are delighted to partner with The Hare’s Corner project and are delighted to see that initiative is now open to landowners and community groups throughout the county. Often, we see that people want to do something to support nature, but they don’t know where to start or how to do it. This partnership with Galway County Council and the Hare’s Corner meets this need by providing the encouragement, advice, and micro-funding to do it. I look forward to providing the local support necessary to bring this fantastic opportunity to participants in Co. Galway.”
According to Lee Worrell of Burrenbeo Trust, “Landowners can apply for one or more biodiversity actions and participation in the Hare’s Corner involves no cost to, and minimal hassle for, the landowner. All we ask in return from beneficiaries is their commitment to act as ‘stewards’ of their own special Hare’s Corner”. However, places will be limited by available budget so screening conditions such as suitability of the proposed site for the biodiversity measure may be used to select applications. Preference is also given to community groups and schools, though to avoid double-funding, farmers who are ACRES or NPWS Farm Plan Scheme participants are currently not eligible to apply.”
Maeve Ryan, a County Clare landowner who participated in the pilot initiative commented, “Receiving a ‘Plan for Nature’ visit from The Hare’s Corner was like getting an education on your own land, opening your eyes to something you mightn’t have noticed before. The ecologist identified 8 areas on our land for us where we could make small and very manageable changes to enhance biodiversity. The tips were priceless – and came with a map of our site and I keep them handy on my phone at all times.”
“We received guidance and funding and more importantly encouragement to create a wildlife pond from The Hare’s Corner team’, stated Connie Corry of Ennis Men’s Shed group.
He added, “One and half years later, we did a study on it and identified 30 different species in and around the pond. Our members really enjoy this pond and now we are designated as one of just six ponds in the whole country as a demonstration site for ponds.”
The Hare’s Corner project in Co. Galway in 2024 will be funded by Galway County through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund by National Parks and Wildlife Service and by Greencoat Renewables PLC.
Applications are open at www.burrenbeo.com/thc for landowners in County Galway, Galway City, Mayo, Meath and Leitrim from this Friday (15th April) and will close on Sunday 31st March 2024. Further calls may be made subject to available funding. If the call is oversubscribed then places may be offered on a first-come, first served basis.
Visit burrenbeo.com/thc or Burrenbeo Trust on social media for more.
