€117k for seven Louth biodiversity projects

Louth County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have announced over €117,000 in funding has been awarded from the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) to deliver seven projects in Louth. 

The funding will contribute to improving conservation knowledge, awareness and management and enable the implementation of projects that promote the objectives within Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.

The seven projects proposed for Louth include: 

• Funding to continue Louth Nature Trust’s volunteer-led Little Tern conservation work at Baltray through 2024 and 2025. Little Terns are migratory species which nest in colonies on the shingle beach at Baltray during our summer months. They are highly vulnerable to disturbance and are on the ‘amber list’ as a species of conservation concern. The reserve at Baltray is a site of national importance for the species with the work being carried out helping to bolster population numbers and raise awareness of what can be done to help protect them.
• Funding for a new project which aims to increase the biodiversity potential of Louth County Council’s parks with training and events planned to raise awareness of the importance of making space for nature and taking action for biodiversity.
• Funding for a new two-year programme to increase the Swift nesting habitat in County Louth, identifying suitable sites and installing Swift nest boxes. Swifts in Ireland are in decline and are on the ‘red list’ of birds of severe conservation concern. The 2022 County Louth Swift Survey showed that there are good colonies in Dundalk and Drogheda. These are a well-known bird in urban areas, but they are highly vulnerable to disturbance as they like to nest in cavities in walls or in spaces in eases of houses and buildings. Providing new nest boxes throughout the county will help to encourage further nesting and secure the future of the species here.
• Funding for a new two-year programme to survey the extent and condition of Louth’s hedgerows with training and events planned to raise awareness of the importance of planting and managing new and existing hedgerows for biodiversity.
• Funding to support the provision of biodiversity restoration, enhancement and management plans through Louth Tidy Towns groups.
• Funding for a new two-year programme which will support the delivery of a national Local Authority collaborative project which will survey and record Irish Mayfly, establish their conservation status and raise awareness of the importance of good water quality for improving biodiversity in rivers.
• Funding to carry out a species audit as part of Louth County Council’s work to develop a Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the county.

Louth County Council Biodiversity Officer, Helen Hanratty said:

“Louth County Council are delighted to be working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to provide funding to deliver these Local Biodiversity Action Fund projects. 

“This investment in biodiversity projects across the county, shows our commitment to improving our knowledge, understanding and management of the valuable species and habitats we have in Louth. 

“The proposed work will help to raise awareness of what we have and how we can all work together to take action for biodiversity.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has announced that € 2.8 million has been awarded to local authorities to carry out 233 biodiversity projects through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).

First established in 2018, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund was created to assist local authorities in the implementation of actions in support of biodiversity. A total just over €8.6m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF since the scheme launched.

Minister Noonan said:

“Local Authorities play a vital role in addressing the biodiversity crisis and in this important week for biodiversity, I’m delighted to see a record number of projects approved through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2024.

“The benefits realised by the locally led projects created through this Fund are shared by all of us, not least local communities.”

Niall O’Donnchú, Director General, NPWS said:

“We’re so impressed with the diversity and creativity of these projects. Partnership is the engine that will deliver the National Biodiversity Action Plan. By working with local authorities, we can make a difference in communities on the ground, and that combined effort will make a huge impact in delivering on the ambition of the plan.”

To find out more about biodiversity in Louth please see the Louth County Council biodiversity webpages: https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/environment/biodiversity/ or scan the QR code.