The National Rural Network are delighted to announce that the MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project have been named Runner-Up as part of the International 2020-2021 UIAA Mountain Protection Award (MPA). The UIAA Mountain Protection Award recognises sustainability-focused projects supported by UIAA member associations which engage mountaineers and climbers directly in their initiatives.
A total of 24 projects operational in more than 30 countries and on six continents were showcased as part of 2020-2021 MPA. They represent a range of initiatives including encouraging youth participation, tackling pollution and climate change, creating sustainable national parks, spearheading clean-up campaigns and projects focused on women in mountaineering.
The MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project overcame stiff competition from some of the most well know mountain ranges around the world including The Alpine Club of Canada, The Alps Mountaineering Villages, The Himalayan Togetherness for the Sustainability of the Mountain Trails, the United Kingdom H20 Community Hub Scheme and The South American Clean Mountain Project.
Björn Alfthan, UIAA Mountain Protection Award External Assessor and Senior Mountain Expert at GRID-Arendal explains that the MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project has ‘really gone to great lengths to bring a wide range of different interest groups together working towards one objective and a shared vision: the protection of this important corner of Ireland. Recognition as runner-up to the 2020-2021 MPA Award, will help to showcase this project widely and show how other areas in similar situations can work towards protecting our mountain habitats’.
Speaking after receiving the award, Patricia Deane, Project Manager of the MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP project highlights that ‘all involved- the Operational Group, Reeks Forum, our farmers, local collective groups and communities are undeniably thrilled and extremely proud of this achievement. It is great to have recognition of all the hard work and effort carried out over the past years by all involved, and demonstrates what locally led bottom-up approaches can achieve’.
The MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project aims to improve the sustainability and support the economic viability of farming in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, through the development of practical, achievable actions and innovative solutions in order to improve the conditions of the habitats of the Natura 2000 area, in close conjunction with the landowners/farmers in the area.
- You can view/download a full description of this project’s rationale, aims, objectives and activities here
- The EIP-AGRI Service Point Operational Group abstract for this project can be found here
- Information about the MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project can also be found on the Irish NRN’s interactive ‘One-Stop-Shop’ Storyboard of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups in Ireland.
MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project – Participating Farmer Insight
The 3rd episode of the Irish NRN’s Video Blog (Vlog) series on farmers who are participating in Ireland’s 23 EIP-AGRI projects located throughout the country features Kieran Doona from the MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project who explains how this innovative, locally-led project is working on the ground, at farm level.
You can view this video blog here: https://youtu.be/K1WWlec6pls
MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project – Contact Details
MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project Manager: Patricia Deane
MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project Email: pdeane@skdp.net
MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project Website: https://www.macgillycuddyreekskerry.com/
MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP Project Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/macgillycuddyreeksforum/
