Hedgerow Surveys

As part of their Heritage Plans, in 2004 Westmeath and Roscommon County Councils commissioned county wide Hedgerow Surveys.

The objectives of the surveys were to assess the extent, species composition, construction, structure and management of hedgerows in sample 1 km squares around the county. Further surveys were carried out in 2005 in Counties Laois, Offaly and East Galway.

These surveys are building a picture of the regional variety in Irish hedgerows (Offaly (32%) and Laois (45%) have a high percentage of species rich hedges) and also highlighting common issues which are potential threats to the resource (a sizeable proportion of hedges in all counties contain significant gaps and lack the dense base structure that is important for wildlife.

The reports produced include recommendations for various stakeholders. Repeating the surveys in a few years time will enable trends to be assessed. All of the surveys were carried out to a standard methodology and full details of the results of the studies for each county can be obtained through the Heritage Office of the relevant County Council.

As part of the (now defunct or inert) Networks for Nature project, initiated by Crann and the Irish Wildlife Trust, a certified training programme was developed by Teagasc for the operators of tractor-mounted hedge cutting machinery. This programme includes health and safety, machine maintenance and environmental best practice. It is being run, on demand, at all of the Teagasc training colleges.
 

The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland (HLAI) was formed in 2004 to:

• Encourage and facilitate the conservation, protection and appropriate management of hedgerows
• To promote the craft and profession of hedge laying To encourage and facilitate landowners in the management of hedges by laying, where appropriate
• To encourage and train people in the craft of hedge laying
• To establish, maintain and promote recognized standards of craftsmanship in hedge laying
• To research and document the tradition of hedge laying in Ireland
• The Association can be contacted at hlai@eircom.net or Phone: 086 3028790 http://www.hedgelaying.ie/

Hedgerow Projects

Crann continues to work closely with the HLAI and in 2008 and 2009 have assisted each other by hosting stands at events throughout the country. At these events we answer queries and help promote the aims of both organisations. We look forward to continuing to work together and sharing resources. An educational/training visit to the British National Hedge-laying Championship. Hedgerow seminar in conjunction with IWT, Teagasc and Birdwatch Ireland.

Involvement in the Golden Mile competitions in Leitrim & Tipperary Environmental partnership project with Leitrim County Council developing hedgerow conservation policy Hedgerow walks Training courses on hedge establishment and renovation Training event for hedge-cutter operators Talks and slide presentations at REPS courses Devised basis of a curriculum module in hedge management for Teagasc Input into the Department of Agriculture over specifications for the REP scheme The design and production of a hedgerow calendar CRANN's main hedgerow targets still are:

• awareness raising
• education
• hedge planting, laying & management skills: training a nation
• all Ireland hedgerow survey
• hedgerow awareness events featuring demonstrations and training from top British hedgelayers.