More than €38,000 in funding to boost wildlife and nature projects in Donegal
The new fund which will help local groups develop and implement action plans which are being supported under a long-standing partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and its philanthropists with the National Parks and Wildlife Service
Community efforts to protect and promote local plants, wildlife and nature are set to get a major boost, with funding announced for five Donegal projects, including three in Inishowen.
In total Donegal is to get more than €38,000 from the new fund which will help local groups develop and implement action plans.
The plans are being supported under a long-standing partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and its philanthropists with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Under the partnership, communities in Donegal and across the country are provided access to expert ecologists to decide the best ways to protect or promote wildlife and then to implement through action plans.
Barrack Hill Town Park in Carndonagh is to receive €10,000 to introduce up to 1,000 hawthorn and blackthorn shrubs, endangered clovers and other native species in line with a pre-existing local action plan.
A total of €6,210 is allocated to the Culdaff Development Association to protect and promote local sand dunes, which are essential not just for native wildlife but also in order to shelter the community from extreme weather events.
Carn’s Spraoi agus Sport will benefit to the tune of €12,000 to develop a native tree and shrub nursery for planting in the local community and habitats.
Elsewhere in the county, Bundoran Tidy Towns is to receive €5,000 to engage an ecologist to work with the community and develop a biodiversity action plan, while Dunkineely Tidy Towns will also get €5,000 to build on existing local heritage work by developing a biodiversity action plan.
Nationally, more than 94 projects are to receive support under the fund.
‘Profound changes’
Chairperson of Barrack Hill Town Park Carmel Doherty expressed her delight at the funding announcement.
“We are delighted to have received this grant as it enables us to implement the Biodiversity Action Plan developed by Inishowen Rivers Trust and NatureNorthWest for ECO Carn launched in 2021. We have introduced a lot of native Irish trees, flowers, a community orchard, biodiversity signage and attained the Green Flag for the last four years - but this funding enables us to make profound changes, which will further protect and enhance the biodiversity of the park.”
“We intend to plant native Irish trees along the Ballyloskey Road entrance to the park, add hawthorn and guelder rose to the Wild Enchanted Way, provide sustainable bird nesting and bat boxes throughout the park, add an aqua habitat, plant hundreds more native bluebells, and add crab apple trees to the orchard to improve pollination.”
Carmel added: “We want visitors to Barrack Hill to learn about the different habitats in the park, so we intend to create a leaflet about the park and add further signage. Furthermore, we hope to include our six local primary schools and Carndonagh Community School in some of this work.”
John Doherty, of Culdaff Development Association, also welcomed the support.
“This funding allows us to play an active role in protecting our beach and sand dunes. In 2024 significant sand dune erosion on Culdaff beach saw vegetation loss and created issues with accessibility.”
“With the help of Dr Kevin Lynch, from the University of Galway, we will kick-off our sand dunes project on Saturday 26th April and continue on Saturday 7th June with training for people in managing and protecting this vital coastal habitat. It’s a fantastic opportunity to understand the sand dune systems, learn practical skills and ensure the dunes remain protected for future generations.”
Meanwhile, Carlene Lyttle, of Spraoi agus Sport, added: “Our ‘Fréamhacha - Rooted in Nature’ series is about getting hands-on with nature restoration. From seed-saving expeditions to native hedgerow planting, we’ll be hosting monthly events designed to reconnect people with nature and make a lasting positive impact on our local environment. This grant helps us make these activities possible and accessible to the community.”