Members of NPWS and Coillte Nature,  as associated beneficiaries of LIFE INSULAR, made a first contact with other LIFE projects from Spain and Ireland, for...

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2022/04/29: LIFE INSULAR starts networking in Ireland with other LIFE projects

Within the framework of E3 action, between April 26 and 28, members of NPWS and Coillte Nature, as associated beneficiaries of LIFE INSULAR, have made a first contact with other LIFE projects from Spain and Ireland, for the promotion and exchange of best practices and experiences, as well as collaborative work between the projects and the institutions involved, promoting the replicability and transferability of the results obtained.

In this way, LIFE INSULAR has carried out an exchange with technicians from the LIFE13 NAT/IE/000144 “LIFE KERRY” project, framed in fluvial management for the conservation of natural habitats, emanating very positive conclusions, since numerous points have been identified in common between the results of both projects, emphasizing the need to eliminate the threats that hang over natural habitats.

The intensification of livestock and forestry uses that has occurred during the 20th century has been the point of common focus with LIFE18 NAT/IE/000090 “LIFE Atlantic Crex”, visiting the concrete conservation actions of this project. In this way, it has been highlighted the importance of carrying out actions that restore naturalness of natural ecosystems in Natura 2000, and the improvement of conservation status of their key components.

The contact with LIFE18 IPE/IE/000002 "LIFE IP PAF-WILD ATLANTIC NATURE", an integrated project for the conservation of Irish blanket bogs in Natura 2000, was of great interest since the members of LIFE INSULAR were able to attend the annual monitoring visit and visit the locations of this project, as well as exchange with the rest of the involved partners: Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM); Bord na Mona; Teagasc; Failté Ireland; Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTÉ); The Heritage Council; Northern & Western Regional Assembly (NWRA); Coillte Nature. This visit has revealed the need to carry out global restoration strategies, not acting only on ecosystems, but involving all the agents involved, an aspect that fully coincides with the strategy carried out by LIFE INSULAR.

Finally, members of LIFE15 NAT/ES/000790 "LIFE BACCATA" and LIFE16 NAT/ES/000771 “LIFE FLUVIAL” have visited LIFE INSULAR's locations in Ireland. The main strategy in both projects is the elimination of old forest plantations too (some with invasive species) to increase the area occupied by priority habitats. Aspects related to prior planning and ex ante evaluation, as well as proper execution of conservation work to avoid affecting fragile ecosystems, were several of the common aspects between both projects.

In short, these visits have meant an important step for LIFE INSULAR in establishing new contacts and networks, incorporating the conclusions of 5 LIFE projects carried out in Spain and Ireland, as well as the experiences of competent European bodies for the management and conservation of Natura 2000, and the knowledge of European institutions and researchers related to this subject.

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