Efforts to protect local nature in north Louth receive major boost

Efforts to protect and support local wildlife, plants and nature in north Louth have received a major boost with the confirmation of grant support for Omeath District Development CLG.

The group has said that with the support from both Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), many local actions are planned.

To date Omeath District Development said that it has received funding to conduct its Community Biodiversity Action Plan for Omeath

Included in this was its alien invasive plant species survey, the outcomes of which were presented to the local community in an information evening held by the group.

Omeath District Development also completed its Environment & Nature Fund, where it said it conducted a bat survey and erected bat boxes; along with carrying out a survey of swift nest sites and erecting swift boxes; and planted a dispersed urban orchard. It also conducted community awareness and engagement through its website and social media platforms.

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Welcoming the support from the Community Foundation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Rachel Byrne, who looks after biodiversity administration for the group,  said: "our BioBlitz will engage with local schools, groups and individuals and will provide basic identification training in a fun and informal way and learn to record what is in our environs".

Congratulating the local project, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: “We all know nature is in crisis. Once familiar bird songs, the fleeting sight of a passing animal and even our creepy crawlies and native plants are disappearing.

"Local actions are key to addressing this. Since partnering with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2019, we are now working with 300 communities on local biodiversity action plans. 

"This unique partnership not only brings together the Foundation’s private philanthropic funds with public money, but it also partners communities with the insights and skills of expert ecologists. I look forward to hearing about the success of the work ahead.” 

Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service added: “This partnership between NPWS and Community Foundation Ireland supports action for nature at the 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.