Value of Healthy Hedgerows highlighted as National Hedgerow Week Kicks Off

National Hedgerow Week 2023 was launched on Tuesday, August 29th, in County Dublin. In a new partnership, Teagasc and the Heritage Council will jointly coordinate this year’s programme of events.

Running from September 1st to 8th, Hedgerow Week provides an opportunity for farmers, ecologists and the public to collaborate and celebrate the versatility of our hedges.

While providing shelter and food for a myriad of species, hedges also capture and store carbon dioxide making them invaluable allies in the fight against climate change. From a farming perspective, they act as windbreaks, protecting crops and livestock, and prevent soil erosion.

Maximising the benefits of hedgerows is challenging, and many of the events taking place throughout the week are designed to address these challenges. Specialists will be on hand to provide machinery demonstrations at different locations across the four provinces, while farm walks and presentations have been organised to raise awareness and to inform the public.

National Hedgerow Week 2023 was launched by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan T.D. and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett on the farm of Doris Coyne, Westmanstown, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

Speaking from the launch, Minister Malcolm Noonan said: "The dedication and hard work of local authority heritage and biodiversity officers in organising events to celebrate our hedgerows are commendable. Their efforts highlight the intertwined relationship between our cultural heritage and the natural environment."

Minister Pippa Hackett, Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, added: “Hedgerows are essential features for biodiversity on our farms. They act as homes, food and shelter for wildlife, big and small, and provide safe corridors in which to travel and seek protection.

“I urge all farmers and contractors across the country to think about the value of hedgerows on farms this season, and to remember wildlife when it comes to hedge management, particularly on internal hedges.

“My Department is currently conducting a review of the Environmental Impact Assessment thresholds for the removal of these precious features, and I look forward to its completion in the coming weeks.”

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, remarked: "Hedgerows are an integral part of our cultural and natural heritage. Their proper management not only preserves the beauty of our landscapes, but also ensures a thriving ecosystem for future generations. The Heritage Council is delighted to partner with Teagasc for this important and valuable celebration of our farming heritage. Our network of local authority heritage and biodiversity officers across the country will be a key component of the success of this week in raising awareness of the value of hedgerows."

Dr. Martina Maloney, Chair of the Heritage Council, added: "The intricate balance between preserving our heritage and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices is epitomised by hedgerows. Their significance transcends mere boundaries, serving as a testament to our commitment to both heritage and the environment. Agriculture and biodiversity are deeply interconnected. Hedgerows exemplify this relationship, offering multifaceted benefits from soil conservation to habitat provision. Their management is a shared responsibility, and the Heritage Council is dedicated to working with Teagasc in providing the knowledge and tools necessary for their optimal care."

Kilkenny County Council’s Heritage Office is supporting this week by hosting an event along the historic mass path in Dunmore.  Monica Fleming will lead a hedgerow foraging walk and talk to identify the fruits of the autumn and explain the value of hedgerows.  Bernadette commented

“I was delighted at the public response of the Council’s hedgerow event which is now fully booked.  Hedgerow Week 2023 is being supported by a number of local stakeholders in Kilkenny who all value hedgerows and there is a series of events organized by Nore Vision https://norevision.ie/events/ and Maura Brennan of the Acorn Project is hosting a hedgerow walk as part of her Autumn Ecology Series https://slinacoille.ie/events/autumn-ecology-walks.  These along with the Hedge Planting and Management Farm Walks organized by Teagasc across the country, the amount of learning over the week has massive potential to communicate how hedgerows are important for biodiversity, the benefits they provide for farmers, the potential to sequester carbon and their cultural significance and connection to our landscape.” For more information on the events planned as part of Hedgerow Week 2023 visit: www.teagasc.ie/hedgerowweek.

A video of both Minister Noonan and Minister Hackett speaking at the launch of National Hedgerow Week 2023 is available here: https://youtu.be/LEAfE_DDk4c

Ends,

Photo captions

Photo 1: Pictured from left to right at the launch of National Hedgerow Week 2023 were: Dr. Stan Lalor, Director of Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc; Minister Pippa Hackett, Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity; Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council; Minister Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform; and Doris Coyne, host farmer, Westmanstown, Lucan, Co. Dublin.