Join Fingal County Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Hans Visser, for a biodiversity walk and talk in, around and about Turvey Nature Reserve as part of the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival.

The nature reserve is a 220-acre local authority-owned park that was bought in the 1970s and has been restored and transformed into a diverse area of grasslands, wetlands, wildflower meadows and other habitats, supporting a wide variety of species. Turvey serves as model of ecological improvement that can be replicated across Ireland at minimal cost, letting nature take over and do most of the work once the habitats are in place.

Much of the work involved blocking drains to create new wetland areas, which has allowed the return of breeding swans, ducks, kingfishers, otters and more. Parts of the reserve were also planted with so-called “sacrificial” crops, including a combination of cereal and wildflowers, which are left to stand alone into the wintertime, providing seed and other food for birds in the lean season. Come hear about these and other measures that have turned Turvey into the high-biodiversity park it is today.

This event involves light walking outdoors over terrain that may be uneven in places. Please wear suitable footwear and clothes for the activity and weather. This is an all-ages event, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

This event is free but requires advance registration. Reserve your place(s) here.