€800,000 funding for peatlands and Natura engagement scheme
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has announced €800,000 in funding under the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2025.
This year the scheme will support forty-five community groups with their conservation work in seventeen counties around the country.
The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme supports local initiatives for the conservation and revitalisation of Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) and all peatland areas.
It is aimed at community-led and volunteer groups and promotes awareness of, and engagement with natural heritage and the environment.
Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne said: "Community and voluntary groups play a vital role in conserving nature and heritage around the country. Funding provided through the scheme will support these groups to engage their own communities in their conservation efforts and protect their natural heritage for future generations.
"I am really impressed with the diversity of projects and wish them well with their work.”
The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan believes that the health of our natural world is inextricably linked to the health of our communities.
He said: "Successful conservation efforts must be driven by and rooted within those communities. Local knowledge, and a sense of ownership are vital to safeguarding our precious ecosystems and species and mitigating the impact of climate change.
"This scheme is an example of how we will solve the biodiversity crisis in Ireland by fostering strong partnerships, empowering local initiatives, and putting communities at the heart of nature conservation."
Throughout the year, projects funded through the scheme this year will conduct surveys to inform management plans for Natura 2000 and peatland sites.
They will also provide information to the public, through the production of information booklets, brochures and training manuals, awareness and education events, education programmes and by hosting seminars with expert speakers.
Finally, they will support invasive species training and management, as well as nature and heritage events nationwide.
