Longford man honoured for years of loyal service to mark his retirement from NARGC

On Tuesday, November 18 last County Longford Shooting and Conservation Council held an information meeting for its members. The meeting was held in the Longford Rugby Club House and over sixty members were in attendance.

Read more: Longford fundraiser Cycle for Alan reaches final figure during presentation

The meeting heard reports from a number of speakers. Mr Padraig Breen the NARGC National Game Development Officer, and in his address he gave details on the National Wing survey and the International Wetlands Project and he asked that all members partake in these projects along with the Midlands Wild Mink Project. He spoke of great initiatives elsewhere in Europe, regarding wetlands and migratory bird flight paths, that can not only benefit the wildlife but also the areas they are focusing on.

Mr Owen Murphy the Project Manager of the Midlands Eradication Programme informed the meeting about the Mink Programme which aims to eradicate Wild Mink from a large selected area around Lough Ree over the next three and a half years. He requested members and volunteers to assist in the programme. This is also open to the general public who can assist if they wish to help. The website has a data record that people can use to add to that with sights of dead or alive wild mink.

Read more: Major N4 Mullingar–Longford project included in Government's transport investment plan

It was great to see the various organisations come together to the benefit of all the community. The County Longford Shooting are on the edge of all that is happening in regards to conservation, working alongside the Conservation Council and on their own local various programmes.

Full details about the mink eradication programme can be found on www.minkeradication.ie

Chairperson of County Longford Shooting and Conservation Council Tommy Reynolds made a presentation to Chris Gavican on behalf of all clubs and members to mark his retirement from NARGC.