Burren Conservation Volunteers Training Events

The goal of the BCVs is to establish a skilled and knowledgeable group which is available to support conservation management in the Burren.  Burrenbeo provides a variety of conservation management skills to ensure that BCV’s are encouraged and  engaged on an ongoing basis. Training provides volunteers with skillsets to enhance their employment prospects and confidence in the pursuit of  further opportunities.   See Rolling Calendar attachment below

Practical Skills:

• Chemical treatment course to allow the BCVs to get involved in the treating of scrub.
• Chainsaw license course essential for scrub removal work.
• Regular First aid and appropriate safety training to ensure safe working practices at all times.
• Survival skills

Research Skill

     conservation management courses.

• Mapping 
• New research methodology and other training programmes
  conservation management courses.

Latest skills-based training courses on offer in the Burren

Archaeology Training for the Burren Atlas Project
Heritage Expert: Christine Grant
Leader: Kate Lavender
Where: Michael Cusack Centre, Carran. OS Map 51 GR R 260 965
When: Saturday 14^th July 10-4
What to bring: Outdoor clothing and suitable footwear for outside, your lunch, a pencil/pen and something to write on, a mug and if possible a camera.

Purpose of the event: An archaeological survey of the Burren has been initiated under the 'Burren Altas Project'.  The training day with this project will include an introductory talk at the Michael Cusack Centre followed by a mapping session in the field.  The introductory talk will explain about the Burren Atlas Project, the use of aerial and satellite imagery for computer mapping and how those maps are then used in the field to produce an archaeological survey.  We will then go out on to a farm and start creating an archaeological map for that farm.  The base mapping will be provided on the day and people will be trained in recognising archaeological features and how to mark them on the map.  These maps will then become a part of the final archaeological atlas for the Burren.  A copy of the map will also be given to the farmer as an 'Archaeology Conservation Map' for his farm.

If people then wish to do more mapping as part of the atlas project I can set them up with their own individual survey areas and do additional training with them. This might include doing a survey around their favourite monument or their favourite part of the Burren (with the landowners permission) or helping out where there is already an existing survey project.  Everyone who participates will be supported by ongoing advice and help and will be a part of the project team.

 There are many benefits to this type of mapping.  It can produce archaeological maps relatively quickly and will mean that we can get a better record of the surviving archaeological remains on the Burren.  At the moment there are a high number of unrecorded monuments on the Burren.  In this way we will have better chance of understanding and protecting the archaeology of the Burren for future generations.  Landowners will also have the advantage of having more accurate maps of the archaeological features on their land.

What you will get from the event: You will learn how to recognise archaeological features and how to mark them onto a map. You will get an opportunity to help record as of yet unrecorded monuments in the Burren.

Notes: Places limited to 15.

Contact number on the day: Kate: 0876014119

Directions:
FROM COROFIN
Take the R476 towards Kilfenora. Turn right by Leamaneh Castle onto the R480 to Ballyvaughan. After roughly 2Km take the turning on the right signposted for Carran. After about 2 ½ Km you will see the Michael Cusack Centre signposted on your right.

FROM KILFENORA           
Take the R476 towards Corofin. After about 5 ½ km by Leamaneh Castle, take the right turne to Ballyvaughan (R480). After roughly 2Km take the turning on the right signposted for Carran. After about 2 ½ Km you will see the Michael Cusack Centre signposted on your right.

FROM BALLYVAUGHAN
Take the N67 south heading towards Lidsoonvarna. After about 1 ½ km take the left turn signposted to Aillwee cave (R480). Follow the R480 (without taking the next turn for Aillwee cave) past Poulnabrone and Caherconnell. Roughly 4km after Caherconnell there will be a road on the left signposted to Carran. Take this road and after about 2 ½ Km you will see the Michael Cusack Centre signposted on your right.

Many thanks to Pat Cronin for the great map skills course he ran on the 23rd June. A great day was had by all despite the wind and the rain!

contact volunteer@burrenbeo.com for further information
For upcoming volunteer events please look at www.burrenbeo.com

P.s The very popular Burrenbeo Adult  Heritage course will be run again in November and as of last year the more volunteer events you attend the more the price for the course will be reduced!  More details to follow.

Find us on face book https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burrenbeo-Trust/137754979590821