Bio-Diversity Week Tour & Talk at Tullynisk - How land can contribute in the context of climate and biodiversity crises

To celebrate National Bio-Diversity Week we invite you to join us at beautiful Tullynisk for a tour of the wildflower meadows and native woodlands, followed by an expert talk on sustainable land management entitled 'How land can contribute in the climate and biodiversity crises'. 

Tullynisk Wildflower Meadow and Native Woodland

A hundred years ago land management recognised the importance of the dozens of species of flowers and grasses in a field, and plants and trees in our hedgerows and woodlands, and all the wild creatures this diversity supported. With the advent of cheap artificial fertilisers this vast body of knowledge was swept to the margins of agriculture. On the Birr Castle estate we have always recognised the importance of the species-rich land, and implemented land management across the estate in order to protect and enhance these habitats. We will take participants through the meadow and explain the importance of the different plants that make up grassland, and their importance to supporting a healthy grazing herd throughout the year, then go through into the native woods and explain natural regeneration as the optimum way to manage woodlands.

How land can contribute in the context of climate and biodiversity crises

Land offers some of the most compelling solutions in the climate and biodiversity fight - all set against a backdrop where land use, and specifically agriculture, is deemed to be damaging the environment. This talk will explore and evidence land management techniques which contribute to rather than detract from the environment, all while maintaining and improving financial viability.

Alex Caraffi has been involved in land management for over twenty years, initially as a farm worker on livestock farms from Australia to the Yorkshire Dales then as a Farm Business Consultant in Scotland and since October 2021 as the Managing Director of Agrolo Land Futures which offers sustainable land management advice with a finance first perspective. Alex has lived in Ballinakill, Laois with his young family for almost two years and continues to advise landowners, predominantly in the UK, on structures and techniques to include in their land management to create better outcomes for the environment and their own businesses. Alex is keen to further work with current and future Irish land managers who have so many opportunities to consider.

Attendees that want to make a full day of it are encouraged to visit Birr Castle Demesne in the morning. Admission is not included.

https://birrcastle.com/