Toward the end of August Debbie had the pleasure of joining the team from the LIFE on Machair project to collect Marram (Ammophila arenaria) seeds. The seeds will later play a crucial role in the mission to protect and restore the eroded sand dunes of Galway. From 2025 and onwards the seed will be used to grow plants which will then be planted strategically to claim back dune lands lost to storm surges and human activity. This effort is part of the larger LIFE on Machair project, a six-year EU-funded initiative that began in 2022. The Machair team wanted to use local seed of Irish origin to restore Ireland’s Machair systems, ensuring protection of native species and avoiding importing seed or plants from overseas. Together the restoration work will protect from further erosion the environment for breeding birds, insects and the communities that depend on them.
Thanks to Caitriona and Mark and everyone who looked after Debbie for the conservation work, it was a pleasure to work with you.
In general, forward planning like this is essential for the long-term success of conservation efforts. Collecting seed from native populations is a strategy that can be included in management plans for restoration. It must be done in year(s) prior, processed and saved until sowing in spring time.
LIFE on Machair Project:
LIFE on Machair is project funded by the EU LIFE Programme, and focuses on direct interaction with the farmers, landowners and local communities on the project sites. The team are working in collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Fáilte Ireland and Teagasc, to promote and support sustainable farming and tourism that is beneficial to local communities, and that protects the habitats and species.
Learning about past and present use of these delicate sites, and trialling appropriate conservation actions, with the full involvement of the landowners. Who are then teaching the team how the Machair has been managed in the past, and how it is now being used, and are seeking out the best scientific methods and sharing what they learn.
You can find out more about the project here: https://www.lifeonmachair.ie/