Waters of LIFE Habitat Assessment training for Agricultural Advisors will take place May 26^th to May 29^th 2026.

These half-day field-based events are for advisors who are new to the project’s training programme in 2026 as well as any current advisors who would like to refresh their skills in habitat assessment.

Training will take place on farms with riverside habitats. The Riverside Habitat scorecard has unique elements that are new to advisors with or without previous habitat assessment experience. The project has also updated other scorecards following a review of Year 1 of the programme with advisors. In addition, training is the first opportunity for advisors to field test the bespoke Waters of LIFE smart phone app for management of field assessments.

Waters of LIFE Riverside Habitat Scorecard Training (On-Site)

 Advanced Registration is Required. 

Graney Sub-Catchment, Co. Clare / Galway:

Date/Time: Tuesday May 26th, 10am to 3pm

Location: Graney sub-catchment. Exact location shared directly.

Scorecards used in training: Riverside Habitat on Improved Grassland; Scrub/Woodland; Semi-Natural Grassland.

Catchment Scientist: John Kelly

Registration Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/watersoflife/2203867

 

Islands Sub-Catchment, Co. Galway / Roscommon:

Date/Time: Wednesday May 27^th, 10am to 3pm

Location: Islands sub-catchment. Exact location shared directly.

Scorecards used in training: Riverside Habitat on Improved Grassland; Semi-Natural Grassland; Scrub/Woodland; Peatland; Grass on Peat

Catchment Scientist: John Kelly

Registration Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/watersoflife/2203986

 

Awbeg and Shournagh Sub-Catchments, Co. Cork:

Date/Time: Thursday May 28^th, 10am to 3pm

Location: Shournagh sub-catchment, Co. Cork. Exact location shared directly.

Scorecards used in training: Riverside Habitat on Improved Grassland; Semi-Natural Grassland; Scrub/Woodland

Catchment Scientist: Diarmuid McSweeney

Registration Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/watersoflife/2203997

 

Avonmore Sub-Catchment, Co. Wicklow:

Date/Time: Friday May 29th, 10am to 3pm

Location: Avonmore sub-catchment. Exact location shared directly.

Scorecards used in training: Riverside Habitat on Improved Grassland; Scrub/Woodland; Semi-Natural Grassland.

Catchment Scientist Hosting: Mark Desmond

Registration Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/watersoflife/2204005

 

Why are habitats assessed on farms?

Habitat assessment is the basis of results based agri-environmental schemes. They link payments to the environmental quality of a farm. Higher nature quality results in higher levels of payments. All participating land is divided into plots. Each plot receives a habitat score between 0 and 10. Payment is made on scores between 4 and 10. This is done annually. The management of farmland has a direct influence on the freshwater environment. Waters of LIFE provide guidance and recommendations on improving habitat quality. Landowners are incentivised to act through the achievement of higher scores.

Links to Current Scorecards:

• Habitat Scorecard: Grassland On Peat PDF
• Habitat Scorecard: Peatland PDF
• Habitat Scorecard: Riverside On Tillage PDF
• Habitat Scorecard: Riverside PDF
• Habitat Scorecard: Semi-Natural Grassland PDF
• Habitat Scorecard: Woodland and Scrub PDF
• Waters of LIFE Scorecard Guidance (PDF)

Links to Demonstration Sub-Catchments Maps:

• Awbeg (Kilbrin), Co. Cork
• Avonmore, Co. Wickow
• Graney , Co. Clare / Galway
• Islands, Co. Galway / Roscommon
• Shournagh, Co. Cork

Note to all advisors:

• Please bring your own packed lunch
• Dress appropriately for a farm walk in the forecast weather conditions
• You will be asked to sign-in on arrival and sign-out on departure