For this week’s episode we hear from Eoghan Daltun, a pioneer in the rewilding movement that aims to restore native forests that once blanketed 80% of Ireland.
Eoghan’s practices high nature value (HNV) farming that allows for a unique ecosystem to regenerate itself naturally. The farm is home to a small herd of Dexter cattle that are suited to nature restoration as they are non selective grazers. Eoghan practices “booleying” which involves moving animals upland during the summer season.
Traits of High Nature Value Farming
- HNV was developed in the early 1990s from a growing recognition that the conservation of biodiversity depends on traditional low intensity farming systems.
- A key trait of a HNV farm is semi-natural pastures, meadows and orchards, as well as semi-natural features like large hedges.
- This practice promotes the growth of native trees such as in Eoghan’s farm where sessile oak, rowan, hawthorn, hazel, downy birth and holly thrive.
- HNV farming provides essential green infrastructure for native Irish wildlife such as pine martens to thrive.
- Many of Europe’s most endangered habitats are dependent on farming practices that have evolved over generations with methods such as mixed grazing and small scale crop cultivation.
Learn More…
Read more about Eoghan Daltun’s work and writing
Learn more about the High Nature Value farming
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/1bd26e8f-8ea0-45e0-b6bf-9ed2baff5d28
