From Corncrakes to Coastlines: Stories of Nature’s Comeback

Corncrake LIFE was 5-year project led by the NPWS working with landowners across NW Ireland to conserve one of Ireland’s rarest and most iconic bird species. In its five years, it increased the population by 50% and become a landmark project for bird conservation nationally and within Europe.

Restoring nature isn’t just about trees, wildflower meadows or rare species - it depends on people. Derek will talk about nature restoration in Ireland, the role of people and how we can benefit nature and communities.

My research is on behalf of community environmental organisations. One key theme is on rivers and waterways, including understanding their ‘hydromorphology’ (literally water, movements, study of). This talk is about the ways community groups can get involved with that "science".

LIFE on Machair story begins with the land and with the farmers that own this amazing sandy space between bog and sea. It has been important both to listen to the land and to those that farm it. Machair, only found on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland, is a refuge for many plants and animals that now have few other places to go. This includes Lapwing, bees and a thin layer of soil the roots and seeds of many plants and grasses. LIFE on Machair has been working with farmers towards restoring machair habitat. We can see many positive steps in the sand. We would like to tell you about some of these.