Minister of State with responsibility for heritage Malcolm Noonan has announced that over €1.35 million will be made available to local authorities for biodiversity projects.
This announcement comes as today (Wednesday, March 3) is World Wildlife Day, and is being celebrated under the theme ‘Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet’.
First launched in 2018, funding for the grant scheme has been increased from €700,000 in 2020. The scheme comprises two streams: a €500,000 fund for projects tackling invasive alien species; and €850,000 for other maintenance, restoration and awareness-raising projects under actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The scheme is operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
‘People are making space for wildness in their lives’
Speaking today, Minister Noonan said that local authorities have “a hugely important role to play in addressing the biodiversity crisis”.
We need their help to create new habitats, restore existing ones, tackle invasive species and raise awareness of nature locally, regionally and nationally.
“More than ever, people are making space for wildness in their lives – in gardens, on farms and in public spaces – and reaping all sorts of benefits, not least of which is the sense of wellbeing and peace that we get from spending time in nature.”
In 2020, 30 local authorities used the scheme to carry out over 50 projects that promoted actions in the biodiversity plan.