The Farm Resilience project – in partnership with the Woodland Trust and Loughs Agency – aims to work closely with farmers to integrate woodland, trees and hedges into the farmed landscape. The purpose to support local farmers, and their farm businesses, to help sustain viable and healthy rural communities and landscapes.
We recognise the many benefits that green infrastructure (e.g. trees, hedgerows, pastures, etc.) can deliver on a farm, from providing shelter for livestock, improving sward growth, providing biosecurity between farms, improving field drainage and much more. However, the importance of this infrastructure is especially relevant when aligned with the core farm business so that the impacts can be demonstrated in a practical way to increase farm productivity.
The farm plans will give the farmers a working document that they will be able to use to apply for funding through DAERA (Environmental Farming Scheme and Forest Expansion Scheme) and from the Woodland Trust (MOREwoods and MOREhedges). In addition, the future implementation of the plans, and in particular, the planting of new trees, woods and hedging will link and buffer fragmented ancient and long established woodlands; revitalise hedgerows; improve water quality through riparian planting; improve animal welfare (shade, shelter, health); provide a more resilient landscape to tree pests and diseases. Surveys will include the identification of invasive species. We intend to deliver 20 farm plans per year over five years with the overall aim to make the farms more sustainable and/or profitable. With Loughs Agency as a partner body, focus will also be placed on water quality and the potential methods of improving it.
Environmental Textiles and Land Use Change (Exploring Land-Use, Environment and Social Challenges Through Arpillera Textiles)
With support from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Service (CCGBCMS), Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), the LPS Project Team will work with community groups across the project area, to explore the historic environment of the Binevenagh area, and to identify, through creative textile-based workshops, the challenges and threats to the environment to help protect it for future generations. Throughout the process CCGHT and QUB will undertake research into historic and recent land-use change, to determine changes in the ‘natural capital’ of the landscape i.e. the value of different land-use types for society. The community textile pieces and information from CCGHT and QUB will be brought together in an exhibition at the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre which displays the creative responses alongside an impartial assessment of the ‘state of the environment’.
The aim is to encourage open discussion and challenge potential preconceived views about the value of landscape features, land-use types and the services they provide for the local community. Combining the community’s creative responses with scientific data provides an excellent platform upon which to stimulate an inspired and inquisitive approach to conserving the unique landscape of the Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands. The Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Character Assessment (2018) notes significant natural and human threats and forces for change in the project area. From natural coastal erosion and light pollution in the Magilligan Coast and Farmland LCA to loss of hedgerows and increased intensity of agriculture in the Castlerock Coast and Farmland LCA, this creative textiles and natural capital project has the potential to challenge and positively influence attitudes towards significant pressures on the landscape of the project area.
Local Provenance Trees, Wildflowers and Orchard Expansion
The Binevenagh area is renowned for its diversity of flora and habitats and this endorsed by the high density of specially protected sites, some found nowhere else in Northern Ireland. The local community will grow trees and wildflowers from seed and plant them out across the landscape.
Aghanloo ASSI and Native Woodland Conservation
Through the re-introduction of a sensitive conservation grazing regime, we will restore Aghanloo Wood ASSI back to good condition, while allowing the local farmers to utilise their land. The project will also give out 7500 trees to members of the community be planted across the Binevenagh & Coastal Lowlands area
Time-lapse Landscapes
Installation and management of 3 Remotely Accessible and Internet linked panoramic landscape cameras (PLC), The camera systems will archive image and video at each location over the five year period and allow remote view via the internet at each installation point and the capture of a visual catalogue/archive of the landscape location at each installation point. The cameras have ben installed at Roes Estuary, Altikeeragh Bog ASSI and the Moors of Castlerock.
Invasive Species Targeted Control and Eradication
Through direct targeted control, this project aims to eradicate invasive species from key sites and targeting key species over a wider area.