The Irish Times published an interesting and provocative editorial yesterday (Monday 23rd April). It posed the question of whether the current recession has been good or bad for the environment:

“Growth and job creation should not automatically involve damage to the environment. Doing things differently, with new technologies, can make a significant difference. In a recent submission on climate change, the Irish Farmers’ Association took as its objective “enhanced environment standards and more efficient agriculture” and recognised the need to develop cost-effective emission reduction strategies. Such an approach can pay dividends for everyone.”

Read the full article on the Irish Times website >>

Its aim is to provide valuable information to both the industry and to key stakeholders.

The 30 month study will be undertaken by University College Cork School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Science under the leadership of Professor John O’Halloran. The aim of this project is to provide strategic planning data to enable the development of wind farms while ensuring the conservation interests of the Hen Harrier are protected.

Read more on the project on the UCC website.

Find out more about Natura’s expertise with wind energy projects.

In their letter, the IEEM states,

“The work that the Heritage Council does in protecting and promoting Ireland’s heritage is recognised as being very significant in terms of the employment it provides, the tourism revenue it generates and the community cohesion it creates. The Council’s role in protecting and promoting biodiversity outside of designated areas, again often based on building relationships with key stakeholders, should not be underestimated. The loss of the Council would be seen as a negative message by those striving to protect Ireland’s valuable natural heritage”.

In March this year, the Heritage Council published its strategic plan.

The planning application was managed by Jennings O’Donovan & Partners, Consulting Engineers, and the ecological assessments for the EIS and Planning Appeal were undertaken by Natura Environmental Consultants. The development includes 20 wind turbines.

Find further information on Coillte’s wind energy programme.

Read more about Natura’s work on windfarms.

The results found that between 62% and 70% of sites were in overall favourable condition, with sheep grazing being strongly positively associated with good condition in Vertigo geyeri sites. The opposite was found in V.angustior sites, where sheep were a negative indicator of condition. A national conservation status assessment was made for each species; V. geyeri and V. angustior were found to be Unfavourable – Inadequate and V. moulinsiana was Unfavourable – Bad.

Read Monitoring and Condition Assessment of Populations of Vertigo geyeri, Vertigo angustior and Vertigo moulinsiana in Ireland

Read more about Natura’s surveying expertise

Compiled by the Golden Eagle Trust on behalf of NPWS, the latest survey of these internationally rare birds of prey shows that the population appears to be stable at an estimated 128 to 172 pairs in the country. However, there have been severe declines in some regions, expecially in Munster. Over half of the confirmed breeding pairs were recorded in plantations forests.

Read the National Hen Harrier survey 2010.

Read more about Natura’s expertise in Bird Surveys.