Six Waterford communities receive over €30,000 in biodiversity funding

A total of €33,000 in strategic funding has been awarded for Community Biodiversity Action Plans in Waterford.

The Biodiversity Fund is operated by Community Foundation Ireland, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service will support six plans in Waterford.

Ardmore, Clonea Power, Dungarvan, Dunhill and Bunmahon will all be supported to develop plans and Clashmore and Kinsalebeg will receive €8,000 towards the implementation of biodiversity actions under their existing plan.

Waterford City and County Council Biodiversity Officer Marina Mulligan said the fund recognises the power of community-led conservation.

“It is brilliant to see community efforts rewarded, and it is an exciting time for biodiversity action in the county. These communities are at the heart of supporting habitats through running biodiversity projects and raising awareness of the unique species in their localities," said Ms Mulligan.

The support for this grant comes from philanthropists and donors to Community Foundation Ireland, matched with public funding.

The grants will facilitate the development of a network of community action plans.

Those plans can be incorporated into local authority biodiversity action plans and can harness collaboration between community groups, Biodiversity Officers, NPWS, ecologists and environmental NGOs for the improvement and restoration of habitats.

Ms Mulligan said it is particularly important at a time when 85% of Ireland’s EU-Protected habitats are in unfavourable condition.

The Nature Restoration Regulation has been adopted, and where urgent action is required to reverse biodiversity loss nationally.

She said the more communities participating in these initiatives, the greater the benefits for wildlife.

“Congratulations to Ardmore Tidy Towns, Clonea Power Tidy Village, Dungarvan Tidy Towns, Dunhill Tourism Walking Trail, Tidy Towns Bunmahon, and Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council. 

"Community-led collaborative conservation is growing. 

"With these groups at the helm locally and with the support of ecologists, I have no doubt that impactful actions can be achieved," said Ms Mulligan.

The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said tackling the national biodiversity crisis means working 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,” said Minister O'Sullivan.

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 nationally is being provided under the current round to 94 projects.