'Our Nature Corridor'

Description

An invitation to build the digital and human infrastructure for an interactive, participatory and ambitious nature recovery corridor in County Waterford. Inspired by the pioneering Weald to Waves in Sussex, UK, we aim to undertake the first phase of creating a similar initiative in South East Ireland. There are two key elements in the first year to solidly establish the platform from which future activities can grow: 1. Digital infrastructure services: Build GIS map functionality, membership database and web interface for a mountain-to sea corridor of land-use that can be dedicated to nature. The maps should have a web-interface for dynamic interaction, as well as artistic elements to deliver an inspiring interface that attracts wide target groups (UK examples include Weald to Waves, Chalk to Coast and Tor to Shore). 2. Land advisor and project management services: An experienced ecologist skilled at interacting with local land-owner, farmers, gardeners and others to inspire participation in the corridor, and advise on biodiversity and nature restoration actions. This role will also have responsibility for project management, sustainable investment opportunities, and communications outputs. The suppliers will deliver 'Our Nature Corridor' as a project connected to the wider ambitions of the promoter (aligned with Bioregioning South East Ireland approaches and principles) and work to establish mutually beneficial relationships with other relevant partners in public, civil society and private sectors. While the pilot area is the uplands to coastal habitats along the Waterford part of the historic St Declan’s Way, from the Knockmealdown Mountains through river valleys and farmland to the Celtic Sea coast at Ardmore, functionality should ready for extending across a wider bioregion in the future. The ultimate aim is to inspire and engage local land-owners and communities to create 'their nature corridor' that increases biodiversity and creates a living and sustainable landscape where people and non-human species thrive.