Cork takes biodiversity lead

11 groups in Cork are set to work with ecology experts to increase awareness and develop local biodiversity action plans specific to their area.

These communities are receiving support to take action to protect and promote local plants and wildlife, thanks to a partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and Government.

Each is supported through private philanthropy made possible by donors to Community Foundation Ireland work in co-operation with public funding from the National Parks and Wildlife

Service.

More than €58,000 is being made available to support the work across Cork.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said: “Successful grantees work with ecologists to create a Community Biodiversity Action Plan and can then seek funding to implement it. All of the data they collect is shared with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, making a valuable contribution to citizen science in Ireland.”

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: “While the challenge is great, what is hugely encouraging is the interest, energy, and enthusiasm of the full spectrum of Cork groups answering the call and taking action to protect our plants and wildlife.

“On behalf of our private donors, I wish each group every success in their continued efforts.”

The projects are:

• Development of a Ballinlough Biodiversity Action Plan by the local residents association

• An action lan for Fountainstown by the community association

• Increasing awareness about wildlife on the Rosscarbery Estuary with the local Tidy Towns

• The development of accessible conservation by the Crann Centre

• A new Water and Biodiversity Action Plan for the Tramore River by the local community group

• Habitat mapping in Bandon to identify areas in need of restoration and protection by the environmental action group

• Biodiversity booklets explaining plants and wildlife by Clonakilty Tidy Towns

• Grassland protection by the Cork Nature Network

• Protection of woodlands and hedgerows in Douglas by the Tidy Towns

• A citizen scientists course to be developed in Ballincollig

• Community Based Education in Durrus to recognise, monitor and survey wildlife