From Corncrakes to Coastlines: Stories of Nature’s Comeback

Corncrake LIFE was 5-year project led by the NPWS working with landowners across NW Ireland to conserve one of Ireland’s rarest and most iconic bird species. In its five years, it increased the population by 50% and become a landmark project for bird conservation nationally and within Europe.

Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark is being ratified as a UNESCO Global Geopark this spring 2026 and for 4 years. This is due to the immense wealth of the geological record in the region as well as the activities of the local communities toward their sustainable future. This talk will present the hidden riches of Ireland and our local area's geological heritage and how it influences the landscape and culture. It will also highlight how understanding our place is critical to prepare for a sustainable future.

My research is on behalf of community environmental organisations. One key theme is on rivers and waterways, including understanding their ‘hydromorphology’ (literally water, movements, study of). This talk is about the ways community groups can get involved with that "science".

LIFE on Machair story begins with the land and with the farmers that own this amazing sandy space between bog and sea. It has been important both to listen to the land and to those that farm it. Machair, only found on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland, is a refuge for many plants and animals that now have few other places to go. This includes Lapwing, bees and a thin layer of soil the roots and seeds of many plants and grasses. LIFE on Machair has been working with farmers towards restoring machair habitat. We can see many positive steps in the sand. We would like to tell you about some of these.