Inspiring Laois landowners to see hedegrows as more than just boundaries

Farmers were encouraged to treat their Hedgerows as more than simply a means to separate fields and property. 

That's a message from the Biodiversity Office at Laois County Council who recently collaborated with the Heritage Council and a Laois farmer to hold a community event during Hedgerow Week.

On September 6, as part of National Hedgerow Week, Pat Byrne of Byrne’s Biodiversity farm hosted a local event to highlight the critical role of hedgerows in protecting wildlife and strengthening the natural environment.

It brought together landowners, conservationists, educators and the public to explore how hedgerows boost biodiversity and support sustainable land management.

The gathering included expert talks from Pat Byrne and Jason Monaghan of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to inform on hedgerow management techniques designed to maximise year-round ecological value.

Participants learned how practices such as rotational cutting, management techniques and buffer strip management that transform hedgerows into thriving habitats. The event emphasised that well-managed hedgerows not only provide food
and shelter for pollinators, birds, and small mammals, but also enhance soil health, water retention, and climate resilience. 

Lisa Doyle, Biodiversity Officer at Laois County Council, spoke about hedgerow importance. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

“Hedgerows are more than just field boundaries. When managed thoughtfully, they become living ecosystems in conjunction with adjacent land management that support pollinators, birds, mammals, and native plants - and they deliver wider environmental benefits for communities too.

“We hope this event inspires landowners and communities to see hedgerows not just as boundaries, but as networks of biodiversity that benefit us all,” she said.

Ms Doyle explained that hedgerows matter for various reasons such as supporting over 2,000 species, including many pollinators and protected wildlife. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Host Pat Byrne, Lisa Doyle, Biodiversity Officer Laois County Council and Jason Monaghan from the NPWS at the guided hedgerow walk on Byrne’s Biodiversity Farm at Killabban, Maganey, County Laois during National Hedgerow Week 2025. Photo: Alf Harvey

She said they are also green corridors connecting fragmented habitats as well as contributing to ecosystem stability in the wider landscape.

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Another benefit is capturing carbon and contributing to climate resilience.

National Hedgerow Week is a partnership between Teagasc and The Heritage Council. The week aims to raise awareness of the importance of hedges for agriculture, biodiversity and climate. Biodiversity Officers in Local Authorities contributed by organising events.