Celebrating karst – a day of farming, nature and community at Taughmaconnell
The Karst Farming Network is inviting the public to attend a special upcoming event at Taughmaconnell in south Roscommon, designed to bring together farmers, conservationists, local communities and visitors to the region.
The event is called 'Rocks to Roots: Celebrating Karst' and it is taking place on Saturday, September 5 at Taughmaconnell Community Centre.
Booking is required for the event's morning segment, the Karst Farm Walk, which will begin with registration at 10am. The actual walk will commence at 10.30am until 12.30pm and participants will visit working karst farms and see, first-hand, how practical farming and nature conservation work together to enhance both farm productivity and biodiversity.
Guided by EIP farmers, ecologists, the National Parks & Wildlife Service, ACRES Burren representatives, and the project team, organisers said that the walk offers 'a unique opportunity to explore the karst landscape and learn about the innovative approaches being used to protect and restore this special rocky habitat'.
Participants will learn about species-rich grasslands, habitat restoration, biodiversity and innovative grazing practices, including the use of goats for scrub management. The walk costs €10 per person and advance booking is required at www.eventbrite.ie/e/rocks-to-roots-karst-farm-walk-tickets
In the afternoon, a free event called 'Rocks to Roots Celebration' will commence at 2pm and run until 6pm at Taughmaconnell Community Centre, and be officially launched by Dr Brendan Dunford.
The afternoon will feature an expert discussion panel on farming and nature, heritage and folklore talks, traditional music and sean-nós dancing, local arts and crafts, children's activities, nature displays and delicious locally produced food. The event, organisers said, is 'a celebration of the people, culture and farming traditions that help protect the Roscommon karst landscape'.
Organisers said that they warmly welcome the public to join a day of learning, culture and community as the Karst Farming Network looks ahead to its second year of supporting biodiversity through sustainable farming with the Regenerating the Rocks EIP. The Regenerating the Rocks EIP is co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.