Green-fingered pupils in Limerick get biodiversity grant boost for their school

THE PARISH of Fedamore is set to get a biodiversity boost thanks to green-fingered pupils and staff in the local school.

Fedamore CNS, which was saved from closure last year, is going from strength to strength. The school has been awarded a new grant to support a local Biodiversity Action Plan to protect and promote plants, wildlife and habitats. 

The generous grant from Community Foundation Ireland, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will ensure the steps to protect local biodiversity will be guided by the expert knowledge of ecologists.

Jacintha Mullins, principal of Fedamore CNS, welcomed the news, saying the whole parish will benefit.

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“We are delighted to be successful in gaining this strategic grant for the community of Fedamore. Biodiversity projects that involve pupils, parents and the local community foster a shared sense of responsibility for the environment. 

“With this funding, we will be able to employ the services of a professional ecologist to assist us in drawing up a targeted biodiversity action plan which will focus on valuing and protecting nature in and around the village of Fedamore,” said Ms Mullins

Nationally, more 94 projects are receiving support with more than 250 communities implementing local action plans. The support being provided comes from philanthropists and donors to Community Foundation Ireland and is matched with public funding.

More than €591,000 is being provided under the current round to 94 projects. 

Congratulating Fedamore CNS, Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland, said: “We are particularly proud that local efforts to protect habitats, plants and wildlife are increasingly growing into a national movement.

“The fact that this current grant round is impacting in every county shows the groundswell of support for biodiversity action.

“The partnership of the Foundation, its philanthropists and community partners together with the National Parks and Wildlife Service is effective and works. Our natural heritage is being protected for generations to come.”

Making the announcement, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD said: “If we are to successfully tackle our national biodiversity crisis, we must all work 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.”