With river catchments throughout Ireland suffering from increasing levels of pollution, a recent cross border seminar explored the benefits of using nature-based solutions for Water Quality Protection. The event in Dundalk explored the benefits of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) Willow Planting and aimed to assess stakeholder interest & commitment to the principle of SRC and how this might fit with national strategies and address future environmental challenges.
The event was organised by Donegal County Council, the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Teagasc, as part of CatchmentCARE project. It was attended by bodies with an interest in exploring the potential of using willows as landscape interventions and as a contributor to sustainable energy, bioresources and climate change challenges.
The event confirmed the understanding that biomass crops, if implemented properly in our agricultural landscape, can not only provide sustainable waste management and environmental protection, but can also contribute significantly to a more bio-diverse and net zero carbon future while underpinning rural biomass supply chains, agricultural diversification and SME development & employment benefits.
Pictured at the CatchmentCARE “Willow Planting for Water Quality Protection” event in Dundalk in March 2020 are (l to r): Barry Caslin (Teagasc), Con McLaughlin (Donegal County Council) & Chris Johnston (Agri-food & Biosciences Institute).
