Farmers avail of supporting actions to help Pearl Mussels
PMP are delighted by the huge amount of work undertaken by farmers to avail of supporting actions on their farms over the course of the project. Clear confirmation of their support for the aims of the Pearl Mussel Project.
Supporting actions are voluntary measures that a farmer could choose to undertake with the aim of improving habitat quality or whole-farm score.
The final closing date for PMP Supporting Action claims under the project was the 30th of June 2023.
A record total of 242 individual actions were claimed during the last claim period, bringing the total number of actions claimed over the lifetime of the Pearl Mussel Project to 760.
The actions undertaken by farmers, including the installation of fencing, gates and water troughs made up the majority of claimed actions, but other completed supporting action included livestock footbridges, invasive species removal, rewetting bogs and sheep dip alternatives.
The completion of these farmer actions contributes to the maintenance and improvement of habitats in our catchment areas, which in turn has a positive impact on water quality and environmental conditions for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.
Huge thanks to all farmers who undertook action on their lands
Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 6
The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including: farmer training 2022, farm assessments 2022, Poppy Overy on ways of understanding watercourse quality in a results-based agri-environment scheme, an introduction to Gerard Caden our new catchment officer in the North West, a profile of Fionán Crowley one our farm advisors, PMP updated payment rates and finally news on the new ACRES Co-operation project and how it will run in conjunction with the PMP.
Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 6 here
If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Gerard Caden at gerard@pmproject.ie
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork
Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 5
March 2022: The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including: programme update, a study by Poppy Overy on the co-benefits of biodiversity and hydrological intergrity using beetles as case study on farmland in the programme, a profile of Joanne Materson one our farm advisors, an introduction to the new Bundorragha catchment Rhododendron Control Project with which PMP is partnering, news on the latest developments in PMPs Education programme, and news on PMP and the new CAP.
Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 5 here.
We hope to produce further issues of Pearl Mussel Project News during the programme. So check in again to see the latest programme developments.
If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Mary McAndrew at mary@pmproject.ie
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork
Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 4
November 2021: The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including: farmer training & payment, expansion of the scheme in the north-west through the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE project, a report by Michel Chapman PMP Assistant Catchment Officer on his work, a research study by Verena Berard on farmer preceptions of results based schemes, and a profile of Joanne Hamilton one our farm advisors.
Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 4 here.
We hope to produce further issues of Pearl Mussel Project News during the programme. So check in again to see the latest programme developments.
If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Mary McAndrew at mary@pmproject.ie
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork
PMP Fertiliser & Slurry Guidance published
Following on from recent reports of high algae content and high ammonia levels causing distress to Pearl Mussels in some of our catchments, the PMP team have designed a Best Practice guidance leaflet for slurry and fertiliser application.
These leaflets will be distributed to all PMP participants over the course of the summer at our farmer training events. We hope this will enable us to have open discussions with farmers on best practice and help come up with practical solutions for individual farms.
We are also delighted to be launching our environmental workshops this summer, these are a pilot measure within the programme targeting specific issues within a catchment and helping aid discussion and knowledge transfer with the farmers.
The Fertiliser & Slurry Guidance Leaflet PDF can be downloaded here.
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork @DeptAgriFoodMarine @Teagasc @LAWProteam @farmingfornature
New PMP Assistant Catchment Officer appointed in the SW
Michael Chapman PMPs newest Team member joined as Assistant Catchment Officer in the SW last week.
Michael graduated as a Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist from the Institute of Technology Tralee/ Munster Technological University in 2020. Since graduating he has worked within the Environmental Consultancy sector and has particular experience in relation to water quality and aquatic ecology. Coming from rural Tipperary, Michael has a keen interest in biodiversity and sustainable land use/farming.
Having recently joined the Pearl Mussel Project Team, he is looking forward to working closely with the local farming community and assisting in achieving the programmes objectives.
Freshwater Pearl Mussel Education Pack 2 - Biodiversity
PMP have launched the second in their series of education resource packs for primary school children (bit.ly/pmpeducationpack2). This new education pack is focused on the theme of biodiversity, and follows on from the first education pack that looked at the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.
The biodiversity education pack includes an on-line story map, where students can learn more about biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and the importance of protecting biodiversity.
The biodiversity story map is complimented by an activity pack containing a series of activity sheets which teachers or students can download here.
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPAgri #RuralNetwork #agriculture_ie
What a difference a year (and a bit) makes...
Mary McAndrew was out in the Bundorragha this week to assess our pilot blanket bog restoration site in the catchment to see what effects the removal of sheep grazing was having on this blanket bog.
The pictures say it all... the surface of the bog has mostly recovered and revegetated and bare peat areas significantly reduced in extent. Bare peat areas are liable to erosion during wet weather which can result in peat silt being washed into the river where Freshwater Pearl Mussel occur. It looks like this threat has been significantly reduced from this site thanks to the help from local farmers.
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork @DeptAgriFoodMarine @teagasc @LAWProteam #IrishFarmersJournal #agriculture @IrishFarmersAssociation @Agriland @farmingfornature
Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 3
March 2021: The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including reports of farmer meetings, our education programme, farmer news and a profile of Ian Kenny one our farm advisors.
Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 3 here.
We hope to produce further issues of Pearl Mussel Project News during the programme. So check in again to see the latest programme developments.
If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Mary McAndrew at mary@pmproject.ie
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork
Introduction to the Freshwater Pearl Mussel - educational video resource
Did you know that Freshwater Pearl Mussels are endangered, that they can live to be over 100 years old, or that they rely on a fish to complete their life cycle?
If you are interested in learning more about this amazing species check out our new education videos which cover the biology and ecology of the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, its importance to our river systems, and conservation measures being taken to help protect this endangered species.
Full length video version (21 mins) - watch it here
Short length video version (6 mins) - watch it here
#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPAgri #RuralNetwork @DeptAgriFoodMarine