HHP Sponsored 2000km Winter Walk For Samaritans and Pieta
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ACRES Co-operation is open to any farmer with land in one of the Co-operation zones. The first tranche of entrants joined the scheme on January 1st 2023. The second tranche have been accepted by the Dept. of Agriculture. Bringing the total to over 7300 farmer participants across ACRES CP Breifne, Leinster and Munster/South Connacht.
Applications are made through approved Farm Advisors. Farmers who are interested in joining should talk to their advisor as soon as possible. Contact details for approved advisors can be found on our Resources Page.
Details of the opening and closing dates will be published on this website as soon as they are available.
ACRES Co-operation is a high ambition stream within Ireland’s national agri-environment scheme. It is a locally adapted results-based approach to supporting the delivery of ecological services by farmers.
The rollout of the scheme is supported by eight Co-operation teams.
ACRES Co-operation is available to farmers in eight Co-operation zones, which are targeted specifically at High Nature Value farmland. The ACRES Co-operation zones were defined by a cross-government working group as high priority, High Nature Value farmland areas dominated by semi-natural vegetation (both privately owned and in commonage), Natura 2000 lands, and priority water catchments with high water quality.<br>
ACRES Co-operation incorporates landscape and catchment considerations into a results-based agri-environmental approach for these areas.
Hybrid Results-Based Approach
The project values participation and co-operation in the delivery of environmental objectives. It encourages and rewards farming for conservation with incentives and support, rather than penalties.
Flexible and Adaptable
Farmers make the decisions for their own farm. They are supported with training and advice, and rewarded for their achievements.
Payment for Results
All eligible land will be scored annually with a user-friendly scorecard. Higher scores receive higher payments. This gives farmers the incentive to manage their fields in ways that will improve the habitat condition and thus improve their payment.
Payment for Actions
Funding for Non-Productive Investments and Landscape Actions is available to help farmers to improve their scores and increase their habitat payments.
Landscape Actions
Landscape Actions are intended to help farmers working individually or in groups to address issues that have an impact beyond the field itself. These include a wide range of options to address water quality, wildfire resilience or invasive species. The local CP team will assist farmers in coordinating action at the landscape level.
The Munster / South Connacht Co-operation project is headed by Padraig Cronin. It has offices in Tralee, Co. Kerry and Oranmore, Co. Galway. For administrative purposes, this Co-operation project is divided into 13 regions.
The Breifne Co-operation Project is headed by Dr. Caroline Sullivan. It is based in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim. For administrative purposes, it is divided into four parts.
The Leinster Co-operation Project is headed by Padraig Cronin and it is based in Blessington, Co. Wicklow where. For Administrative purposes it is divided into four parts.
Co-operation Project teams support farmers in ACRES Co-operation through specialist training and helping them to select and deliver the right action in the right place. The teams will also develop the Local Area Plans, assess commonages and deliver specialist training for farmers.
Their main objective is to ensure that farmers’ efforts and public investment achieve the optimum benefit for our shared environment.
The Co-operation Project Teams are fully funded by the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. We will never charge a farmer for the services that we provide.
Fergal has 25 years’ experience in the agri-environment sector, including 20 years as a farm advisor working with farmers in High Nature Value areas throughout Ireland. He led the development of the Hen Harrier Project and was instrumental in the introduction of new technologies that enabled the large-scale rollout of the results-based approach. He has a particular interest in engaging communities in the landscape level approach to addressing environmental challenges and in the use of new technologies to support the work of project teams.
| Fergal has 25 years’ experience in the agri-environment sector, including 20 years as a farm advisor working with farmers in High Nature Value areas throughout Ireland. He led the development of the Hen Harrier Project and was instrumental in the introduction of new technologies that enabled the large-scale rollout of the results-based approach. He has a particular interest in engaging communities in the landscape level approach to addressing environmental challenges and in the use of new technologies to support the work of project teams. |
Caroline was involved in the design and development of the H...
Julien has extensive experience in High Nature Value farmlan...
Shane comes from a farming background and has a degree in Wi...
Hagen has worked in upland habitat restoration and with cons...
Clodagh is an experienced field ornithologist whose career h...
Chloe has a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. She is ...
Daniel has a degree in Agricultural Science with experience ...
Naomi has spent the last number of years as a PhD candidate ...
Hugh has an MSc in Applied Environmental Science from UCD an...
Ciara has a background in Dairy farming and holds a degree i...
Kristina worked on delivering the Hen Harrier Programme, wor...
Tracy holds both a degree and a PhD in Environmental Science...
Eoin works across all the ACRES CP areas and is highly skill...
Ruth has experience working on sustainable agricultural syst...
Padraig has over 20 years’ experience working in the a...
Anna comes from a farming background and studied a BSc of Ve...
Daniel holds a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. He i...
Dr Paul Naessens manages the drone data acquisition programm...
Brian comes from a farming family in the Wicklow Mountains. ...
Sara Ruas is the Data Manager for all Hen Harrier Programme ...
Fionn Murphy is an Environmental Data Management Officer in ...
Keith has a degree in Environmental Science from NUIG. Keith...
Shane holds a degree in Environmental science from Universit...
Rory works across all three of the ACRES CP areas in order t...
Alan Haverty is a seasoned Communications professional with ...
Ivor Palmer is from Fermoy, Co Cork. Professionally, He expe...
AÃfe is a Leitrim native with a masters degree in Sustainab...
Kerry and has a keen interest in conservation, Irelands natu...
Noel has a degree in Agricultural Science and a postgraduate...
Kelvin is from a farming family in the Sliabh Luachra/ Mount...
| Caroline was involved in the design and development of the Hen Harrier Programme from the beginning, gaining valuable experience running a results-based agri-environment scheme. She has over 15 years’ experience working on High Nature Value farmland in Ireland and Europe including post-doctoral research mapping and describing HNV farmland funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. She has a special interest in supporting HNV farmland habitat recognition and rehabilitation to ensure climate change resilience for future generations. |
| Julien has extensive experience in High Nature Value farmland and forest systems across Ireland. He has researched the quality and quantity assessment of HNV farmland habitats at national scale, including modelling policy incentives to maintain and enhance their ecosystem services. His wider interests are rural community development, environmental outreach and sustainable development. |
| Shane comes from a farming background and has a degree in Wildlife Biology. He has a keen interest in bird ecology and landscape level influence on bird populations. Shane hopes to work alongside farmers within local communities to achieve an economically viable farming enterprise that supports the environment, biodiversity and rural enterprises. |
| Hagen has worked in upland habitat restoration and with conservation graziers in Ireland, Norway, and throughout the UK for the past decade. From his previous work as an upland ecologist on the CANN project in the Breifne region, Hagen has extensive experience in the application of novel GIS and remote sensing techniques in delivering conservation ecology projects. |
| Clodagh is an experienced field ornithologist whose career has focused on birds for the last five years. With a farming background and a Master’s degree in Conservation Behaviour, she is passionate about sustainably maintaining the economic viability of family farms in High Nature Value farmland areas. As a hiking enthusiast based in the region, she also has a great appreciation for the landscape and an interest in the upland management and ecology of the area. |
| Chloe has a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. She is also farming in an ACRES Co-operation area in the south of the country giving her practical knowledge of the farming systems in that area. With a background in both Dairy and Beef farming, Chloe enjoys working and engaging with farmers on the ground, supporting them in carrying out their farming practices while also sustaining the invaluable High Nature Value farmlands these farmers operate on. |
| Daniel has a degree in Agricultural Science with experience working within the farm advisory sector and quality management. Daniel has a passion for farming with environmental sustainability in mind. Daniels desire is to work with farmers within our region to optimize their land from an environmental and biodiversity perspective while ensuring their farming enterprise and way of life is economically and socially sustainable. |
| Naomi has spent the last number of years as a PhD candidate in ATU Galway working on High Nature Value farmland in Hen Harrier Programme areas and so has a deep understanding of results-based agri-environmental programmes. She is also a farmer in the Breifne region with practical knowledge of farming systems in HNV farmland areas and a keen interest in being involved with the farming communities that support them. Her wider interests include conservation and restoration of biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services. |
| Hugh has an MSc in Applied Environmental Science from UCD and has experience surveying birds, butterflies, bumblebees and stream macroinvertebrates in the Wicklow Mountains, as well as grasslands and land use across Ireland. He is passionate about conserving uplands and rivers and enjoys spending his time in the mountains. |
| Ciara has a background in Dairy farming and holds a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. She has several years’ experience in Quality Assurance and Compliance. Ciara is passionate about building strong relationships with the farming community and working alongside them to conserve and improve farmland biodiversity and ensure a more sustainable future for farming in Ireland. |
| Kristina worked on delivering the Hen Harrier Programme, working mainly in the Slieve Aughty region since 2019. Through this, she has gained valuable experience in the running of a results-based agri-environmental scheme. She has a Masters in Biodiversity and Land Use Planning and a degree in Environmental Science, both completed in NUIG. She has a keen interest in ecosystem services, habitat restoration, farmland biodiversity and birds – particularly waders and raptors. Kristina enjoys working with farmers to support them in enhancing biodiversity on their farm. |
| Tracy holds both a degree and a PhD in Environmental Science. Her PhD examined the potential of using slug-killing flies as biocontrols. She has a strong desire to use her experience in assisting High Nature Value farmland farmers in the adoption of practices that are conducive to their livelihood and beneficial to the environment. Her interests also include sustainable living and the circular economy. |
| Eoin works across all the ACRES CP areas and is highly skilled at engaging with the agri-food sector and implementing innovative solutions for delivering ecosystem services in High Nature Value farmland areas. He has been involved in the design and development of results-based schemes, has 15 years’ experience as an Agricultural Consultant and is an Agricultural Science lecturer in MTU Kerry. He has particular interest in adoption of new technology and best practice on farms to address environmental issue |
| Ruth has experience working on sustainable agricultural systems including High Nature Value farmland and agri-environmental scheme design from roles in research and farm advisory sectors. Ruth has a Master’s degree in Agricultural Innovation and Support and a Bachelor’s degree in Agri-Environmental Science. She has a keen interest in the sustainable development of rural areas and the conservation of farmland biodiversity. |
| Padraig has over 20 years’ experience working in the agricultural sector. He was a project officer in the south-west region on the Hen Harrier Project EIP. An approved agricultural advisor, who holds specialist knowledge and experience in the design and development of results based agri-environment schemes, farmland biodiversity and freshwater habitats. He has a particular interest in peatland restoration, farmland birds and improving aquatic biodiversity at a farm level. Padraig is also a drystock beef farmer on HNV farmland in Co. Kerry. |
| Anna comes from a farming background and studied a BSc of Veterinary Nursing in UCD. She worked as a Veterinary Nurse for several years before joining the Hen Harrier Programme in December 2022. She has an interest in farming and in her spare time enjoys hiking. |
| Daniel holds a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. He is passionate about farming and protecting High Nature Value Farmland. He is keen on building a strong relationship with farmers and the community within the Co-operation areas. With a background in Dairy and Beef farming he also has an interest in improving the sustainability of Irish farms that supports healthy ecosystems services. |
| Dr Paul Naessens manages the drone data acquisition programme throughout all the Hen Harrier Programme ACRES CP areas. Paul completed a PhD on Medieval Gaelic Maritime Lordship at the University of Galway prior to establishing a commercial drone survey company (Western Aerial Survey) in 2014. Paul is one of the most experienced drone operators in Ireland and has worked on a range of large infrastructural projects throughout Ireland and the UK. |
| Brian comes from a farming family in the Wicklow Mountains. He worked on the SUAS EIP Project for five years which gave him valuable experience delivering an agri-environment project for farmers in the Wicklow and Dublin uplands. He has a degree in Environmental Biology and Masters in Plant Biology. He enjoys working with farmers and local community groups and is particularly interested in peatland restoration, farmland biodiversity and water quality. |
| Sara Ruas is the Data Manager for all Hen Harrier Programme ACRES CP areas. She is responsible for developing remote sensing models and field data analysis of information collected by the rest of team and the advisors. Sara has a PhD in Environmental Sciences and worked as a post-doc in Teagasc on a HNV farmland and forest research project. Her main expertise and interests include landscape ecology, ecosystem services modelling, statistics, remote sensing, and agro-biodiversity. |
| Fionn Murphy is an Environmental Data Management Officer in the Technical Support Unit. Fionn advises Senior Management and the Local Teams on how to extract value from data to help inform the development of the scheme. He has a PhD in Microplastic Pollution and has worked in Denmark developing strategies to improve the identification of microplastics in the marine environment. |
| Keith has a degree in Environmental Science from NUIG. Keith has 2 years’ experience in ecological consultancy where he specialised in bat survey techniques and habitat improvement on a local scale. Keith has a strong focus on educating farmers on improving biodiversity while also improving the economic value of their farmland |
| Shane holds a degree in Environmental science from University of Galway. He is passionate about farming and educating farmers on how to protect high nature value farmland. Shane aims to use his skills from Environmental science and own farming background to help local communities and farmers to enhance their environment. |
| Rory works across all three of the ACRES CP areas in order to ensure the preservation of archaeological monuments and other features of the historic landscape. Having worked as a professional archaeologist for 25 years, Rory has extensive experience of assessing and mitigating the impacts of proposed developments and land-use strategies on archaeological sites and historic buildings. |
| Alan Haverty is a seasoned Communications professional with extensive experience in marketing communications, branding, and communications strategies, bringing over 20 years of experience to the ACRES CP Technical Unit. Alan aims to leverage his extensive experience and passion for engagement to elevate the organisation’s communication efforts across all territories. Specializing in business communications Alan’s role is to drive our online and offline presence and foster meaningful connections with stakeholders, community groups and the wider public through local community activities. It is essential that we promote a collective urgency around the rejuvenation projects, bio-diversity schemes and initiatives aimed at radically improving Ireland’s landscape. |
| Ivor Palmer is from Fermoy, Co Cork. Professionally, He experience in water pollution, water quality and fisheries regulation through working with governmental agencies and environmental consultants. Ivor has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Freshwater and Marine Biology (BSc). He has a particular interest in the ecology and rehabilitation of streams and rivers. Ivor has a passion for nature and the outdoors. |
| AÃfe is a Leitrim native with a masters degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. She is a former researcher and lecturer in Agribusiness and the Sustainable Development Goals in University College Dublin. She has spent the past few years working as a facilitator with community groups across the border region. She is passionate about regenerative farming, community-led decision making, and sustainable farm livelihoods |
| Kerry and has a keen interest in conservation, Irelands natural heritage and the outdoors. He holds a degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology from University College Cork Eoin hopes to carry these skills forward to work hands on with farmers and local communities |
| Noel has a degree in Agricultural Science and a postgraduate diploma in Sustainable Agriculture & Land Use with Innovation from Munster Technical University. Noel is from the Glencar valley in the heart of the Dartry Mountains in North Sligo and with a background in upland farming on High Nature Value farmland, Noel has practical knowledge of upland farming systems and the challenges they face. He aims to collaborate with farmers and local communities to enhance their land’s biodiversity value, while maintaining the economic sustainability of their enterprise. |
| Kelvin is from a farming family in the Sliabh Luachra/ Mount Eagle area of Co. Kerry and has a practical knowledge of  the challenges facing HNV farmland. He has a degree in Agricultural Science from Munster Technical University and has experience working in the environmental monitoring and soil testing sectors. Kelvin is excited about the opportunity to engage and educate farmers and the wider community on issues such as water quality, nutrient management and peatland restoration. |
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We recognise the work of farmers who have managed the land we look to preserve. We recognise areas where biodiversity can be improved.
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We support the farmers through advisory roles, training and expertise in key ecology areas to ensure a greener ireland for generations to come.
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We reward communities and farmers for their work in delivering key ecological benefits to the land with financial incentives across a range of categories.
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The results based scheme is delivered on the basis of repeated delivery and the process of taking the learnings from previous work and using it to improve the coming years actions and initiatives.
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