Communities working to conserve and restore natural habitats, protect wildlife, and raise awareness about biodiversity are receiving a Spring boost with the announcement of biodiversity grants by Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
This collaboration works to enhance biodiversity in communities throughout the country by combining the expertise of qualified ecologists with the skills, experience and enthusiasm of local community groups.
Communities in every county have benefitted with over 250 local biodiversity action plans developed since 2019 and biodiversity initiatives including food forests, urban orchards, bug hotels, sand-dune protection measures planned or implemented.
Making the announcement of support for the latest 94 biodiversity projects, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD said:
“If we are to successfully tackle our national biodiversity crisis, we must all work together.
This partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Community Foundation Ireland is a great example of how we can empower and support community organisations to learn about their local biodiversity and use that knowledge along with their creativity to come up with a plan which is unique to their area. I’m really impressed with the range of projects involved and excited to see the outcomes of their work.
Under the partnership the connectivity of the Foundation to local communities built up over 25-years as a philanthropic hub is matched with the expertise and knowledge of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. More than €591,000 is being provided under the current round to 94 projects.
Projects include:
Athlone GAA carrying out a biodiversity survey of their grounds to identify and map species of plants and animals. The evidence gathered will inform future actions and awareness raising.
Phibsboro Tidy Towns working with the Irish Prison Service at Mountjoy Jail, other local landowners as well as Phibsboro Library to develop a network of hedges and shrubbery connecting exist green spaces.
The Edible Landscape Project, Westport expanding a Food Forest concept with apple and other fruit trees and plants in local housing estates. This will grow the number of edible planting sites in Westport and through engagement with local school children and the wider community increase awareness on sustainability and habitats.
Tograí Chléire on Cape Clear Island working with many local landowners and farmers to develop a community action plan to protect under threat freshwater habitats and bogland on the West Cork Island over the coming year.
The Cork Nature Network with students from UCC are developing bug hotels, nests and earth-banks along the Tramore Valley. Studies will examine the impact of human recreation on insects and invertebrates while signage and public events will increase awareness and promote education.
Inishbofin Development Company is using a chestnut fence to encourage sand dunes currently falling victim to erosion on the Co Galway island. Temporary fencing will be installed where Dunes are currently developing and will allow the trapping of sand to protect an environment which is home to rare species. A section of roped posts to guide visitor access is to be installed while signage will be used to inform visitors on the reasoning behind the fencing, to direct them to the beach, and to make them aware it is a local community project.
Congratulating all the projects, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:
“We are particularly proud that local efforts to protect habitats, plants and wildlife are increasingly growing into a national movement. The fact that this current grant round is impacting in every county shows the groundswell of support for biodiversity action.
The partnership of the Foundation, its philanthropists and community partners together with the National Parks and Wildlife Service is effective and works. Our natural heritage is being protected for generations to come.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service added:
“NPWS is delighted to work with the Community Foundation of Ireland and to support the community groups participating in enhancing their local biodiversity. This is exactly the whole-of-society approach we advocated for in the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.”
ENDS
List of Grantees
Access the Full List of Grantees.
About the Biodiversity Fund
This fund works to enhance biodiversity in communities throughout the country by combining the expertise of qualified ecologists with the skills, experience and enthusiasm of local community groups.
About Community Foundation Ireland
Community Foundation Ireland has through a network of 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners been on a mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities. Since the year 2000 it has as a philanthropic hub supported that mission with combined grant-making of over €140 Million.
About the National Parks and Wildlife Service
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is the Executive Agency within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Ireland, with responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves.
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Company Registration No: 338427 Charity No: CHY 13967 Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20044886
