Innovation Central to new Biodiversity Grants

Community Foundation Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service announce 78 Grants for Communities

Innovation

Innovative approaches are central to local action plans being supported to protect wildlife, nature and habitats with 78 new grants from a long-standing partnership between philanthropic and public funding.

Working with pet owners to reduce impacts on vulnerable birds such as corncrake, the removal of invasive species and the protection of habitats are among the 78 projects receiving support. This year €542,250 is being awarded to projects.

Funding is being provided for 40 Communities to work with expert ecologists to identify impactful actions for their local area, while a further 38 grants are being provided for those ready to turn existing plans into reality.

The support is being provided through a partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service established in 2019, and which has to date supported 250 community biodiversity action plans.

The new projects include:

• Protection of red-listed Corncrakes which resumed breeding on Inis Mór two years ago. Improved nesting habitats will include a new trial hay meadow while actions will also be taken to reduce the threat of predators, including bell collars on feral cats. Local pheasant and hooded crow populations will also be managed under plans by Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann Teoranta.
• The limestone Karst Landscape of South Roscommon will be the focus of new awareness and education programme. The uniqueness of the landscape will be promoted by the Taughmaconnell Community Centre.
• A 24-hour shore blitz with training, education and reporting on local wildlife and habitats along the Louth Coast will be undertaken by the Omeath District Development Company. An intensive effort to gather knowledge to inform future actions.
• In Waterford, the Copper Coast Geo Park will work with landowners, farmers, community groups, schools and the Waterford Biodiversity Officer to map habitats and create a Community Biodiversity Action Plan protecting choughs, pollinators, wildlife, and local biodiversity.
• In West Cork, the community in Skibbereen is being supported to identify the needs of local biodiversity in order to become a green town which protects and promote nature.
• Past grantees being supported to and expand existing action plans include Crumlin Community Clean Up with plans for a new dispersed orchard, workshops, a local garden competition and community events.
• Another established action plan Ardan Wood in County Westmeath is now creating a wild-flower meadow, new habitats for wildlife, a kestrel nesting box, roost boxes for bats and management of invasive species. As part of the work the Irish Woodland Trust will be providing signage to boost awareness for visitors and local people.

Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan, TD said:

“This hugely impactful funding scheme is unique in that it supports communities to protect and restore their local biodiversity by working with ecologists to create a plan and put it into action. This year’s successful projects range from initiatives to restore rivers, meadows and woodlands, to efforts to protect pollinators, Corncrakes, Barn owls and other wildlife.

The enduring popularity of this fund since its establishment in 2019 is testament to the enthusiasm and pride that communities have for their local species and habitats.

I’m proud that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is continuing its collaboration with Community Foundation Ireland to support these groups and, in turn, to help deliver the National Biodiversity Action Plan at local level.”

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:

“The crisis in nature is grave, there can be no hiding from that. It is also equally clear that local communities are crucial if we are to address the challenges highlighted by ecologists, researchers and other experts.

This partnership of philanthropic and public support has always been pioneering and it is great to see more communities taking action informed by expert ecologists.

While many of those communities which are already established thinking bigger and bolder. It is only together we can end this emergency.”

Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service added:

“This partnership between NPWS and Community Foundation of Ireland supports action for nature at local level. We welcome the increasing focus on citizen science, community outreach and engagement with schools, all of which are key to addressing the biodiversity crisis.”

This year’s grants are supported by philanthropic funding from Community Foundation Ireland and its donors, including a major contribution from the Sunflower Charitable Foundation, along with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

ENDS

Full List of Grants

Access the full list of grantees Here.

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Note to Editors

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 an Equality mission focusing on people, place, planet. Since the year 2000 it has as a philanthropic hub supported that mission with combined grant-making of over €170 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.