Landowners in Limerick can apply for assistance to develop “plans for nature,” wildlife ponds, mini-woodlands, wildlife hedges, and mini-orchards on their property.
This year, landowners in County Limerick will be able to take advantage of The Hare’s Corner, a cutting-edge biodiversity project developed by the nonprofit Burrenbeo Trust in collaboration with the Biodiversity Office of Limerick City and County Council. This comes after the program’s successful expansion, which since its inception in 2021 has contributed to the creation of 1,600 habitats for biodiversity in four counties (Clare, Galway, Meath, and Leitrim).
The project’s goal is to assist in creating habitats that have demonstrated benefits for biodiversity, climate action, and participant wellbeing. It was inspired by the phrase “The Hare’s Corner,” an old farming expression for an awkward section of a field that wasn’t intensively farmed and was therefore “left to nature.”
Bringing Biodiversity to Limerick: The Hare’s Corner expansion
With the help of the Hare’s Corner project, landowners can implement easy yet significant environmental projects like creating a wildlife pond, a native mini-woodland, a wildlife hedge, a heritage mini-orchard, apple trees from the Irish Seed Savers Association, or a custom “plan for nature” for their property. This support is provided in the form of materials (a combination of heritage apple trees and native tree species), micro-funding (to cover the cost of pond-digging equipment), professional services (such as an ecologist’s visit to “plan for nature” or a hydrologist’s visit to assist with pond planning), and advice.
Limerick City Council pleased to be on board helping their counties communities.
Sinead McDonnell, Biodiversity Officer at Limerick City and County Council commented, “We are delighted to partner with The Hare’s Corner project and warmly welcome its launch in Limerick City and County. Many people want to do something for nature but are confused as to what they can or should do, and how to do it. The Hare’s Corner meets this need by providing encouragement, advice, and micro-funding to take action. I look forward to providing the local support necessary to bring this fantastic opportunity to Limerick participants.”
Fionn-Doyle Chowen of Burrenbeo Trust added: “The growing demand for this initiative has been truly inspiring. Many landowners are eager to support nature but often struggle with knowing where or how to begin. The Hare’s Corner initiative bridges this gap between awareness and action by offering practical guidance, essential materials, and, when needed, micro-funding – helping turn intentions into impactful biodiversity actions on the ground.”
The National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Local Biodiversity Action Fund, which is a component of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030, and private funder ESB will be among the public and private sector sources of funding for Limerick’s Hare’s Corner project in 2025.
How landowners can apply and what’s included
Landowners in the counties of Galway, Sligo, Carlow, Meath, and Offaly, as well as in County Limerick, may apply between March 6 and March 20.
Applications can be accessed through www.burrenbeo.com/thc . If the call is oversubscribed then priority will be given to Burrenbeo Trust Members.
Applications are open from landowners, farmers, community organisations, and educational institutions who own land in an eligible county or who have the authorisation to work on a site there. However, landowners owning properties in designated areas (SACs, SPAs, etc.) and those taking part in the ACRES or NPWS Farm Plan Scheme are not now eligible.
For further information: burrenbeo.com/thc