A Letter From The Chair

   

    Article first published in:
    Wicklow Mountain Views – The Newsletter of the Wicklow Uplands Council.
    Issue No. 31 – Winter 2022/23

 

A Letter From The Chair

 

Something that came across to me strongly when I first became involved with Wicklow Uplands Council, was the great emphasis on the community and co-operative approach. Over the years since, I have become convinced that this is the essential way forward not only in dealing with matters at local level but in handling all the problems that we are facing – up to and including climate change. 

This approach has come to the fore once again during the Covid crisis. The way that the upland communities have come together and the level of mutual support evident throughout, has been really impressive. 

Despite all the challenges caused by the Covid measures, an enormous amount of work has been achieved with a big thank you due to the staff, board members and supporters of the Council for their great work and positive approach during the past year.  

The Uplands Path Condition Survey was completed, highlighting not only the effects of increased recreational use on the landscape, but also some more critical long-term challenges facing the upland environment. The PURE Project, of course, has continued to achieve outstanding results. Its Pure Mile initiative is another example of what can be achieved by community involvement.

The Final Report of the Wicklow Deer Management Project has also been submitted to the funding Departments and will be publicly available shortly. The project’s findings have confirmed the serious problems caused by the very high population of deer in Wicklow and demonstrate the urgent need for increased deer management efforts to be implemented. We are eager to secure a new funding commitment to build on the foundations laid by the three year project.

The SUAS Project, one of the most important projects ever undertaken in the uplands, is in its final year. It is providing vital data and experience on the ground as we work towards defining a comprehensive and practical vision of what needs to be done to protect our uplands and to secure this precious landscape and natural resources. Their Peatland Restoration Project, in co-operation with the Wicklow Mountains National Park, is likely to be one of the major environmental tasks for the future. And again, co-operation has been shown to be the key factor. The people on the ground must be involved from the start. In real life they know the lie of the land better than anyone.

There has been further success in expanding the network of interlinked walking trails. Excellent work has been done by the many people involved, however I would like to mention especially, Carol Coad, the Rural Recreation Officer with County Wicklow Partnership for her continued support and invaluable guidance.

Wicklow Uplands Council plays a large and increasing role in the areas of biodiversity, heritage and sustainability. This is not surprising as these areas are becoming ever-more important in the life of the uplands and the people who live, work and recreate there. Our role has been widely acknowledged for instance by being kindly invited to make a presentation to the National Biodiversity Conference 2022, and Brian Dunne did an excellent job. 

The major new developments at Avondale, the Blessington Greenway and the Glendalough Masterplan are most welcome. The large population centre on our doorstep, and the vastly increased numbers of visitors to our countryside present both problems and opportunities. There are likely to be ongoing challenges with litter, parking, dog control and so forth,  however, if the necessary facilities are provided, there are also many business possibilities.

The biggest single worry currently facing Wicklow Uplands Council is how to ensure adequate and sustainable core funding is put in place. The Heritage Council and Wicklow County Council have provided continued support over the years and we are extremely grateful to them.

Mr. Denis O’Brien has been a very generous supporter for many years, which we greatly appreciate. That funding is now in its final year and I would like to express a sincere and personal thanks to Mr. O’Brien. 

The scope of projects and activities that the Council manages and administers has grown enormously, putting great strain on our staff and resources. The bottom line is that a substantial source of sustained core funding is now urgently needed to ensure continued success. Without it, we simply could not employ staff or in turn leverage the significant levels of project funding for the wide-ranging initiatives mentioned above.

I would like to extend my thanks to the many project partners, stakeholders and diverse  landowners that the Council works alongside to achieve the wide scope of work taking place across the uplands.

It was great to see so many of the members and supporters attend our Summer Panel Meeting and AGM and the more recent SUAS Project Conference. With so much to discuss, both events created the perfect opportunity to share the many positive developments taking place and to acknowledge the work of the communities and members we represent.

And last but not least, on behalf of the Council may I wish you and yours a wonderful festive season and a peaceful and new year.

Louis O’Byrne
Chair, Wicklow Uplands Council

Newsletters Available Online

This newsletter and many of the previous publications are available online to view and download as PDF files directly from the Wicklow Uplands Council website.

CLICK HERE for this issue – Winter 2022.

CLICK HERE to view the full selection of newsletters dating back to 2006.

 

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