IFA Countryside

IFA Countryside is dedicated to defending the interests of those who actively enjoy the Irish countryside.

IFA Countryside
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Ecology

New Website Launched on Rare Breeds and Conservation Grazing

New Website Launched on Rare Breeds and Conservation Grazing

  • March 8, 2022
  • BiodiversitycountrysideEcologyEnvironmentHabitatswildlife management

The Irish Native Rare Breeds Society has produced a new website focussing on conservation grazing, with financial support from the National Parks & Wildlife Service. This website has just been launched: https://inrbs.ie

Conservation grazing is a tool that can be used to help achieve sustainable farming practices. In Ireland the use of indigenous traditional breeds are being promoted for the conservation grazing of natural and semi-natural habitats particularly in sensitive areas such as coastal areas and uplands.

John Brennan, Chairman of the Irish Native Rare Breed Society, launching the website said:

“The Irish Native Rare Breed Society (INRBS) is a society dedicated to the promotion of indigenous breeds of domesticated livestock. The society aims to facilitate cooperation between individual breed societies and others who are interested in the breeds for their own sake and those who see a use for the breeds in farming and areas such as land management. The society was originally The Irish Rare Breeds Society (IRBS) and has been in existence since the 1990’s. The INRBS was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 2019 as The Irish Rare Breed Society and following a vote at the 2019 AGM the name was changed to The Irish Native Rare Breed Society and this name change was put into effect by The Companies Registration Office in 2020. The society structure allows representatives of each of the indigenous breed societies to sit at board level with equal representation for all affiliated societies.”

Dr. Barry O’Donoghue, Head of Agri-Ecology in the National Parks & Wildlife Service said:

“Agriculture is more than just about food production. The Irish word for agriculture, ‘talmhaíocht’, captures its essence eloquently; working with the ground as opposed to simply taking from it. Agriculture is embedded in and wholly reliant on the natural environment. It can and has shaped our landscape and our natural environment. Much of Ireland’s habitats and species are directly dependent on agriculture. And as much a part of this nexus involving farming and ecology are the domesticated animals, bred over centuries to support and deliver, to carry and to pull, to provide and to be provided for. Our support for this website comes from a thirst for knowledge among farmers and researchers and practitioners. I am often asked for recommendations on stocking rates or practices for particular habitats or species. Every situation can vary, but we hope that this website can be a useful reference and resource to at least help. Over time, it is hoped that further information can be added and refined. There is great knowledge to be gained from older generations of farmers especially and we should make a conscious effort as a country to not lose that knowledge, which was built up over generations. It might ultimately hold the key to the future sustainable management of some of our most important areas for biodiversity.”

ENDS

Photo attached: Droimeann grazing in species rich grassland

March 8, 2022

Certificate of Nature Animation Course

Certificate of Nature Animation Course

  • February 8, 2022
  • BiologyEcologySustainability

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR 2022 NATURE ANIMATION COURSE JOINTLY SPONSORED BY The National Parks and Wildlife Service, Munster Technological University and Leave No Trace Ireland

COURSE DESIGNED FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN CAREERS IN CONSERVATION, WILDLIFE BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Applications are now open for a unique Special Purpose Award, Certificate in Nature Animation Course aimed at those interested in pursuing a career in outdoor pursuits, conservation, ecology and wildlife biology.

The course design, development and delivery is a product of a collaboration between The National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Munster Technological University and Leave No Trace Ireland. This is the second year of the course which proved hugely popular with participants in 2021, some of whom have since gone on to full time employment.

The Certificate in Nature Animation has been developed to provide a foundation knowledge of the key roles and responsibilities of a Conservation Ranger.

The 2022  course,  beginning in March and running until December,  is a free NFQ level 6 accredited course and is available to anyone with a level 5 qualification or above. The programme will be delivered part-time through blended learning at MTU. The programme will include guest speakers, site visits, online discussion forums, practical projects and three months of paid work experience.

The course modules will include;

  1. Nature wildlife and habitats in Ireland
  2. Work-based learning
  3. Sustainable handling of our wildlife & habitats
  4. Practising nature interpretation
  5. Communications and visitor experience

On completion of the course graduates will acquired skills for roles including: ;

  • A communicator of knowledge of Irish nature and natural processes.
  • An effective interpreter of nature and its protection to a range of stakeholder groups.
  • A practitioner of national park experience design and provision.
  • A demonstrator of responsible use of national parks.
  • An accredited Leave No Trace Trainer.

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD has welcomed the return of the course. “Last year, I had the pleasure of launching this course and meeting the students. I was very impressed by their commitment to Ireland’s natural heritage, and was particularly delighted to hear that students undertook work-based learning at our National Parks, Nature Reserves and on some of our LIFE projects, working alongside some of our finest NPWS staff. They are among the most dedicated, hard-working people you could ever meet. It is not an easy job by any means – they have the responsibility for the protection and conservation of Ireland’s natural heritage, including species protection and biodiversity at a regional and national level. Not one day in the field is the same. The opportunity to learn from some of our best, through blended learning and out in the field, is something few students ever get to do. I’d like to wish this year’s new recruits all the very best in their studies and I look forward to meeting them.”

Mary Rose Stafford, Executive Head of School for Business, Computing & Humanities at MTU, discussed how “the Certificate in Nature Animation provides students with a unique opportunity to develop their passion for the environment and explore opportunities to work in Ireland’s most valuable assets our National Parks and Wildlife centres.  MTU are delighted to continue to collaborate with NPWS and LNTI on this exciting initiative”.

Maura Kiely, CEO of Leave No Trace Ireland, encouraged those interested in a career in environmental conservation to apply. “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from both an excellent educational institution and from experienced National Park Veterans. The blending of subjects will give graduates a highly versatile skill set for future employment”.

Applications for the course can be downloaded here or visit www.leavenotraceireland.org for more information. Completed applications must be returned to [email protected] by 5:00pm Monday the 21st of February. Applications submitted after the date will not be considered. Due to the expected high demand and limited space, applications will then be shortlisted. Interviews will be held in early March to ensure the most suitable candidates are selected.

NOTES TO EDITOR

The National Parks and Wildlife Service

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) plays a vital role in protecting, preserving, and promoting Ireland’s natural heritage. It owns over 87,000 hectares of land including 6 National Parks and 78 Nature Reserves. It is a line division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is the primary unit in Ireland with responsibility for safeguarding our natural heritage.

In the context of the intern course, for more information on NPWS contact

Dr. Conor O’Malley, Strategy and Operations: [email protected]

Munster Technological University

On the 1st of January 2021 Institute of Technology Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology came together to form Munster Technological University – a multi-campus technological university, contributing to the region through the provision of academic programmes that support student development and opportunities, education, and research. MTU has an extensive and impressive regional footprint with six campuses across the South-West region in Cork and Kerry, and a student body of 18,000.

Leave No Trace Ireland

Leave No Trace Ireland is an environmental non-profit organisation developed around an Outdoor Ethics Education Programme. It is designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships. Techniques designed to minimise the environmental and social impacts on natural environments are incorporated in and promoted by the national Leave No Trace education programme.

For more information on Leave No Trace Ireland, please contact:

Dr Noel Doyle, Project Coordinator, Leave No Trace Ireland 085 1222 184

February 8, 2022

Recent Posts

  • Coillte confirms to IFA They’re not Working on Any Further Partnerships with Funds
  • Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m
  • NPWS seeks information on White-tailed Eagle found dead in Cavan 
  • Trim Co. Meath announced as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2022
  • Motorists urged to be vigilant during deer breeding season

Categories

  • Angling
  • aquaculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Biology
  • Bogs
  • Broadband
  • Climate
  • Coillte Licences
  • Community
  • Conservation
  • countryside
  • Crime
  • DAFM
  • Deer
  • Deer Hunting
  • DEER LICENCES
  • DEER STALKING
  • Disease
  • Dogs
  • Duck
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • FBD
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Game
  • Gardening
  • Grants
  • Gun Clubs
  • Habitats
  • HCAP
  • Heritage
  • Horses
  • IWTF
  • Lead shot
  • Littering
  • Lobbying
  • Member Benefits
  • Mental Health
  • NPWS
  • Open Seasons
  • Organic
  • Peat Harvesting
  • Pheasants
  • Project Ireland
  • Rural Development
  • Rural Economy
  • Rural Ireland
  • Rural Security
  • Rural Services
  • Security
  • Shooting
  • Sustainability
  • Trapping
  • Uncategorized
  • Vermin Control
  • Walking
  • Walking Trails
  • Walkways
  • Water
  • weather
  • wildlife management
  • Home
  • Countryside News
  • Ecology

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982

Connect With Us

  • Irish Farmers’ Association
  • Download the new IFA App
  • IFA Member Services
  • AgriApps.ie
  • SmartFarming
  • Privacy Statement

© 2023 IFA Countryside

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
This website uses cookies. We use cookies to personalise your web experience and to analyse our traffic.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPTREJECT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT