Hare’s Corner project will support farmers in creating space for nature
hares corner
CO CARLOW landowners are to be offered ‘hassle-free’ support to create more space for nature on their land, having been selected as one of only six counties in the country for the project.
The Hare’s Corner, an innovative biodiversity initiative by the non-profit organisation Burrenbeo Trust, in conjunction with Carlow County Council’s biodiversity officer, is being rolled out this year to landowners across the county, following successful pilots during 2023 and 2024.
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’ (often referred to as gearróg in parts of Carlow) – the aim of this project is to help create habitats that have proven benefits for biodiversity, for climate-action and for the wellbeing of participants.
The Hare’s Corner project offers landowners (farmers and non-farmers, businesses, sporting organisations, schools and community groups) practical support to carry out simple but impactful actions for nature, such as creation of a wildlife pond, a native mini-woodland, a wildlife hedge, a heritage mini-orchard with apple trees from Irish Seed Savers Association and/or a bespoke ‘plan for nature’ for their site.
This support is offered in the form of materials – mixed species of native trees and heritage apple trees; micro-funding towards 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’ and guidance.
“The Burrenbeo Trust are world class exemplars in delivering practical conservation actions, so we’re delighted to bring their expertise to Carlow through the Hare’s Corner project and we hope as many landowners as possible will take up the opportunity,” said Shane Casey, biodiversity officer for Co Carlow. The Hare’s Corner initiative will be funded through the Heritage Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Local Biodiversity Action Fund, and Carlow County Council. Applications are now open see www.burrenbeo.com/thc.
