01/11/2026
We are delighted to announce that this year's Dr. Don Cotton Memorial Lecture is a presentation titled 'Halting and Reversing the Decline of Ireland’s Wild Bird Heritage' by Dr. Micheál Ó Briain taking place at the Sligo Education Centre on the ATU Sligo campus on Friday,13th November at 8.00 p.m. This event is being hosted jointly by ATU Sligo and the Sligo Branch of BirdWatch Ireland as part of Science Week.
Dr. Micheál Ó Briain will examine the evolution of policies to address the decline of biodiversity, highlight the strategic importance of EU nature legislation and the new opportunities presented by the EU Nature Restoration law. Dr. Micheál Ó Briain is passionate about nature and has been actively engaged in its conservation since his youth. Micheál carried out the first detailed studies of Irish wintering Brent Geese, which involved three expeditions to the Canadian High Arctic. He then worked for the Irish Wildbird Conservancy (now BirdWatch Ireland), initially as its first Conservation Officer, then as National Director.
He spent almost 30 years working for the European Commission on EU and international nature and biodiversity policies, working closely with Ireland and other EU Member States. In September 2022 Micheál was honoured to receive BirdLife International’s President’s Medal, its highest award, in recognition of his contribution to bird conservation in Europe.
Micheál is actively supporting the LIFEonMachair project actions for the recovery of breeding Lapwing and Dunlinon Achill, where he has been largely based since returning to live in Ireland. Through his wildlife photography, Micheál aims to celebrate, promote awareness of and appreciation of our natural heritage.
I hope you are able to join us for what we are sure will be a really enjoyable and fascinating evening
