Killarney National Park: deer-management fencing and invasive-species control in Ireland.

Challenges

The project presented several unique challenges:

• Material transportation: The remote location of the site made traditional material delivery methods unfeasible. Kingsley used helicopters to transport essential materials directly to the site.
• Site access: The rugged terrain called for innovative access solutions. Kingsley used speed boards to create a stable and efficient route for both personnel and machinery.
• Environmental sensitivity: The project required careful handling to preserve the natural environment while carrying out specific tasks such as fencing and culling.

Scope of work

The project included two primary tasks:

• Deer management fencing: Kingsley installed specialised fencing to manage the deer population. This involved designing and erecting durable barriers to control deer access and blend with the surrounding landscape.
• Invasive plant species culling: To protect and restore local flora, Kingsley culled invasive plant species. This task aimed to prevent these species from disrupting the native ecosystem and to support the long-term health of the habitat.

Innovative solutions

To address the challenges, Kingsley used three strategies:

• Helicopter logistics: Materials for both fencing and culling operations were airlifted by helicopter, avoiding the difficulties of the site's inaccessibility.
• Speed boards for access: Speed boards were laid to provide a stable and efficient access route across the challenging terrain, for smooth operations.
• Eco-friendly basecamp: Kingsley built a specially designed basecamp for its team on ground screws, to minimise environmental impact and avoid disrupting the surrounding habitat. It gave team members a functional, sustainable place to live onsite throughout the project.

Team and execution