Waters of LIFE presented findings from the first year of its agri-environmental pilot at EPA Water Conference 2026 in Galway. Project Manager Anne Goggin spoke to delegates as part of the ‘Restoring Our Waters’ session to close out the conference. The session was facilitated by EPA Water Programme Manager Dr. Jenny Deakin and featured: Waters
Over 200 farmers have been welcomed to the Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme pilot with introductory training across five sub-catchments. Eight training events were held in June 2026 to help farmers learn about opportunities to restore and protect water quality with Waters of LIFE. The key learning outcomes for the training were: Introduction to water
Waters of LIFE will be hosting induction training for new entrants to its agri-environmental programme pilot in June 2026. Dates and Locations have been confirmed and shared with farmers. Participation in induction training is mandatory and you need to register in advance so we can manage venue capacity. Avonmore Sub-Catchment, Co. Wicklow Saturday June 13th,
Waters of LIFE Habitat Assessment training for Agricultural Advisors will take place May 26th to May 29th 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
Waters of LIFE has welcomed 100 new farmers to its agri-environmental programme pilot in the past two weeks. The EU-funded project has been hosting programme entry clinics in its five demonstration sub-catchments. Programme entry is open to any eligible farmer who submitted an expression of interest in 2025. Farm plans and contract offers have been
Waters of LIFE is inviting its agri-environmental programme participants to a Woodland Creation Walk and Talk on Tuesday May 5th in the Graney Sub-Catchment in East Clare. Waters of LIFE Woodland Generation Walk and Talk Supports and incentives for planting native trees on Clare farmland. Date: Tuesday May 5th 2026 Time: 6pm to 8:45pm Collection Point:
The Waters of LIFE Pilot Agri-Environmental Programme is about to enter Year 2 and participating farmers are looking ahead to putting actions in the ground for water quality. Year one of participation focuses on programme induction and assessment of farms. Farmers undergo training to help them understand and maximise their involvement in the EU-funded initiative.
“The runoff risk assessment highlighted a few things to me,” Michael Trayers says. Michael is standing on his sheep farm in Co. Galway, overlooking the Springfield river. He is chatting to local farmers about water quality risks on his farm. He’s up for making some changes. “The fencing over there is right up against the
Waters of LIFE is commencing intake for Year 2 of its pilot agri-environmental programme. 263 farmers are already active across the project’s sub-catchments in Clare, Cork, Galway, Roscommon and Wicklow. That amounts to over 10,000 hectares of farmed area managed for water quality through the EU-funded initiative. Eligible farmers who submitted an expression of interest
Waters of LIFE are inviting local landowners to a farming workshop on nutrient efficiency in Stuake, Co. Cork on Thursday March 26th 2026. The event is open to all farmers in the Awbeg (Kilbrin) and Shournagh sub-catchments. Farmers in the Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme Pilot receive a payment for their active participation in the
Waters of LIFE have welcomed 17 new advisors to participate in its Agri-Environmental Programme pilot for 2026. The group were trained at events in Mallow and Tuam ahead of a new recruitment window for participating farmers in March and April. Advisors play a central role in delivering the agri-environmental pilot. They act as ambassadors for
Waters of LIFE is reopening its training and development programme to nominated agricultural advisors in 2026. Advisors will be invited to take part in the programme if: They are registered as an FAS Approved Agricultural Agent Have been nominated by an eligible farmer for 2026 entry into the Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme pilot. Advisors
Waters of LIFE are inviting participants of its agri-environmental programme to a farm walk and training event in the Islands sub-catchment. Training will focus on how pollutants like fine sediment and phosphorous can end up in rivers as well as actions to address runoff. Date: Thursday December 11th 2025 Location: Fr. Flanagan Memorial Centre, Ballymoe
Waters of LIFE and Bord Bia are to host online training on AgNav for approved advisors. Training will take place online on Thursday December 4th 2025 at 11:00. What is AgNav? AgNav is a national online interactive digital platform developed by Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. AgNav calculates nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses for
Waters of LIFE have secured the services of a team of registered foresters to provide expert forest management advice and support to the project. Following a successful tender process, Purser Tarleton Russell Ltd will work with both public and private foresters on behalf of the project. They will also provide direct support to landowners within
Waters of LIFE had a chance to show its EU oversight how participating farmers are making space for nature at a recent monitoring visit. The project headed to Lough Mountain Farm in the Graney sub-catchment to demo-score semi-natural grassland habitat. As an EU funded and integrated project, Waters of LIFE is visited, monitoring and audited
