Research
Burrenbeo Trust are continuously investigating and researching innovative ways to address key conservation, education and sustainability needs of the Burren.
We believe connecting directly with our communities on the ground and gaining insightful localised knowledge is key to developing sustainable and viable programmes which inform and aid the local and the national. We are eager to broaden our research capacity as much as possible and as a result have developed strong networks and a multifaceted lens through which we now view the landscape, informed by research. Here on this page, you can explore the numerous projects we are involved in.
HNV-Link
High nature value (HNV) farmland defines areas in Europe where agricultural activities support and are associated with exceptionally high biodiversity. The HNV-Link network project is focused on developing and sharing of innovations that support farming systems in areas of exceptional natural values across Europe through a multi-actor approach. The Burren is one of ten learning areas in the network and Burrenbeo Trust are one of the partner organisations involved. More details on HNV-Link here.
Much of the work in the Burren Learning Area to date has focused on gathering the large body of information together. This has informed the development of a vision for the High Nature Value farming in the Burren which was the starting point of an innovation needs assessment to realise this vision. In this short video Michael Davoren and Brendan Dunford outline some of the work to date on HNV-Link in the Burren.
Exploring Place-Based Learning
We have been engaged in a number of research projects on Place-based Learning, including a PhD study and Masters in Education. These projects look to develop and build upon previous experience and skills in Burrenbeo’s specialist area of place-based learning. See here for more details.
Community Wellbeing
Burrenbeo are passionate about enhancing community wellbeing within the region, exploring new avenues to engage and activate communities. We are dedicated to supporting and nurturing the growth of our volunteers; while also informing research by way of facilitating a PhD. See here for more details
Learning Landscape Feasibility Study
In 2013 Burrenbeo Trust conducted a Learning Landscape Feasibility Study to highlight the potential of the Burren as a learning landscape, both from an educational and an economic point of view. See here for more details.
Burren Community Charter
Following the need for a community voice, since 2010, Burrenbeo Trust have acted as lead partners on the Burren Community Charter Project with other Burren agencies and local authorities.
Encouraging Researchers of the Future
As with many of our programmes, we see huge value in investing in the youth of the Burren. Thus, since 2015 Burrenbeo developed the ‘Young Burren Ambassador’ award. This is a prestigious award which is in memory of the Trust’s co-founder, Ann O’Connor Dunford. Each year there is a theme which encourages research across the spectrum of heritage, culture, landscape, conservation, community and much more. For more information on this year’s projects, see here.