Kilkenny landowners to be offered ‘hassle-free’ support to create more space for nature on their land

The Hare’s Corner, an innovative biodiversity initiative coordinated by Burrenbeo Trust is being rolled out to landowners in Kilkenny in 2026 in collaboration with Kilkenny County Council’s Biodiversity Officer.

Inspired by the term ‘The Hare’s Corner’ - an old farming expression for an awkward section of a field which wasn’t intensively farmed and so was ‘left to nature’ - the aim of this project is to help create habitats that have proven benefits to biodiversity, climate-action as well as to the wellbeing of participants.

The Hare’s Corner project offers landowners (private landowners, farmers, schools/community groups) ‘hassle free’ support to carry out simple but impactful actions for biodiversity such as creation of a wildlife pond, native mini-woodland, heritage mini-orchard, wildlife hedge, or bespoke ‘plan for nature’. This support is offered in the form of materials (native trees and heritage apple trees), micro-funding (e.g. machinery costs for pond digging), and specialist advice and guidance.
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According to Lee Worrel, Hare’s Corner Coordinator at Burrenbeo Trust: “Landowners can apply for one or more biodiversity actions and participation in the Hare’s Corner involves no cost to, and minimal hassle for, the landowner. All we ask in return from beneficiaries is their commitment to act as ‘stewards’ of their own special Hare’s Corner”.

Places will be limited and preference is given to community groups and schools, though to avoid double-funding, farmers who are ACRES or NPWS Farm Plan Scheme participants are currently not eligible to apply.

Applications will open on January 1, 2026 in Counties Carlow, Sligo, Offaly, Limerick, Kilkenny, Louth, Monaghan, Kerry, Wexford, and Donegal (10 in total) and stay open for roughly two weeks. Further calls may be made subject to available funding. If the call is oversubscribed then places may be offered on a first-come, first served basis.

Log onto www.theharescorner.ie to join a notification list to ensure you don’t miss the application window which will open in early January 2026.

Bernadette Moloney, the Biodiversity Officer with Kilkenny County Council said: “I am thrilled to have the Hare’s Corner initiative coming to Kilkenny in 2026. Preparation is already underway, local people with practical skills that could assist with the roll out of the programme have been identified and are currently receiving training with the Burrenbeo Trust. The Hare’s

Corner aligns perfectly with Action 6.5 of the Kilkenny Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030 and it is an exciting opportunity for biodiversity enhancement in Kilkenny”.

For further information: https://theharescorner.ie.