Hedge Habitat Zones in a farmed landscape featuring ‘An Introduction to the Hedgerow Appraisal System’

An event celebrating International Day of Biological Diversity, co-hosted by Teagasc and Woodlands of Ireland.

Join us on May 22nd, International Day for Biological Diversity, during National Biodiversity Week 2026 at Teagasc Oakpark, Carlow for a day of biodiversity talks and field trips with a focus on Hedgerows.

📍 Teagasc, Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 XE12

🕥 Time: 9:15am – 3.45pm

Hedgerow networks are perhaps the most characteristic feature of the Irish landscape and give character to an area, providing aesthetic appeal and creating a sense of place. They define agricultural and other lands and knit the landscape into a patchwork quilt. They also provide valuable refuges for biodiversity in a landscape dominated by large tracts of intensive agriculture and function as an alternative habitat for numerous woodland plant species. In addition, hedgerows have the potential to act as corridors for regular movements and dispersal of birds, mammals (especially bats) and invertebrates through the landscape.

Neil Foulkes, Hedge Conservation and Management consultant, will guide attendees through a presentation and workshop on the Hedgerow Appraisal System. Developed by Woodlands of Ireland in collaboration with the Hedgelaying Association of Ireland (now Hedgerows Ireland) and funded by The Heritage Council, it was published in early 2013 to ensure consistent data collection for managing Ireland’s hedgerow network. Future hedgerow surveys will be encouraged to adopt the survey methodology and data assessment outlined in order to produce consistent and reproducible datasets.

More information here – https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/hedgerow-appraisal-system-best-practise-guidance-on-hedgerow-surveying-data-collation-and-appraisal/

International Day for Biological Diversity Programme of Events:

• 9.15am: Arrive – refreshments
• 9.30am: Teagasc Signpost webinar on the big screen: Beast of Burden – how can we enhance biodiversity on farmland? by Dr. Saorla Kavanagh, Research Officer, Teagasc.
• 10.30am: Introductions and schedule.
• 10.45am: Neil Foulkes, Hedge Conservation and Management consultant and Joe Gowran, CEO of Woodlands of Ireland describe the background to the development of the Hedgerow Appraisal System (HAS), its purpose, how it has been used and its potential future evolution.
• 11.30am: Questions and Discussion about the HAS.
• 11.50am: Ivan Kelly (Teagasc Climate & Biodiversity KT) describes his work with farmers on Knowledge Transfer and how hedge habitat zones feature in it.
• 12.10am: Bailey Parkhouse (Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Researcher) briefly describes her research work on Ash dieback.
• 12.20pm: Introduction to the afternoon plan.
• 12.30pm: Lunch
• 1.30pm: Assemble at point TBC for transport to the hedges for further illustration about how the HAS data is recorded.
• 1.45pm: View hedges and other wooded lands at Oak Park and have discussions.
• 3.45pm: Conclude and depart.

Information to Note:

• The event is an introduction to the HAS (Hedgerow Appraisal System) and is not certified.
• Future training will be advertised via Woodlands of Ireland – email info@woodlandsofireland.com with your interest.
• Please note that Woodlands of Ireland may take photographs and videos throughout the course of the event.
• The day will involve a mix of presentations and field-based walks. Please bring suitable footwear and clothing for the weather that is forecasted.

This event is made possible with funding from the Irish Environmental Network. Thanks to Teagasc for the use of the Oak Park facility and to Teagasc staff for helping to facilitate the event.

Woodlands of Ireland is grateful for the core funding we receive from the Heritage Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine