29.03.2004 -- Heritage specialist says urgent action required

In a talk at Reenascreena Community Hall on Monday 29 March, Teddy Cook, a Heritage Specialist on the Heritage Council funded Heritage in Schools initiative, spoke about some of the opportunities and threats facing our natural heritage, and of the challenges that the community faces to encourage and preserve it.

With a catch-phrase of "Don't just do something, sit there!" Mr Cook is a great advocate of leaving nature to its own devices, but in the case of Reenascreena he suggested that some remedial action was called for to help redress the balance.

In his initial assessment Mr Cook concluded that although there is great potential in the area, it is currently severely depleted, particularly in terms of native trees and viable hedgerows. These act as natural wildlife corridors allowing plant and animal species to colonise an area and subsequently move on to other areas. Ireland plays host to plants and animals that are predominantly woodland derived, and in the absence of the great forests that once swathed the land properly managed hedgerows offer our native species a vital lifeline.

During a brief tour Mr Cook was surprised at the distinct lack of properly managed hedgerows in the area, and indicated that this should be a focal point for the community in their quest to revive the natural heritage of the area.

Some other projects suggested by Mr Cook include:

1. Biological monitoring

According to Mr Cook Reenascreena is ideally situated as a monitoring station to track the influx of species from the south as a result of global climate change.... read more.

2. Native species arboretum

By planting an area of ground in the area with a mixture of the 27 species of native Irish tree, Mr Cook suggested that the community of Reenascreena could create not only a haven for wildlife, but also an invaluable local educational resource.... read more.

3. Tree Nursery

A tree nursery is exactly that -- a plot of ground given over to the propogation of trees. Mr Cook was of the opinion that Reenascreena could be particularly suited to fruit trees, and suggested that perhaps various varieties of native Irish apple trees would grow well in the area.

4. Farmland wilderness network

Another proposal is to approach all local farmers about fencing off one corner of one field and leaving that corner completely ungrazed and unmanaged. These corners would be reclaimed by nature, forming little pockets of biodiversity that would ultimately be linked by a network of properly managed hedgerows.

To mark the start of the rejuvination process Mr Cook planted an Irish sessile oak tree (Quercus petraea) in the grounds of Cariggfadda church under the watchful eye of youngsters from Reenascreena National School.

Teddy Cook will be returning to Reenascreena in the summer. Look out for dates and times on this website, the community mailing list, local press and of course posted around the area.