Funding Announced For Dune Management In Brittas Bay & Hedgerow Survey.

€32,700 has been granted to dune management and education in Brittas Bay.

Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, has announced over €1.4 million in funding for Local Authorities to carry out biodiversity projects through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).

Since it was launched in 2018, a total of almost €4m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF to carry out projects in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 (NBAP).

Two projects in County Wicklow have been successful in receiving funding.

€32,700 has been granted to dune management and education in Brittas Bay. The focus of the 2022 Brittas Bay Conservation Project is to continue to implement an annual programme of works as per the management recommendations drafted in 2018. In addition to the conservation management and monitoring elements, it is planned to initiate enhanced community engagement elements and to address onsite interpretation and messaging.

€15,300 has been granted to a hedgerow survey across Wicklow, as Wicklow County Council proposes to initiate a countywide hedgerow survey to address the information gap in the county.

Commenting on the funding, Minister Noonan says that:

“We know that communities are at the heart of biodiversity action and that’s why I’m so thrilled to see this fund continue to grow and increase its impact all across the country. This year, we’ve funded 128 projects across all 31 Local Authorities – this will have real, tangible impact for nature and it couldn’t come at a more crucial time. What’s more, the successful projects are all contributing to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and helping to advance our shared vision for nature. The new NBAP is currently out for public consultation, so it’s a great opportunity for people to have their say and help shape the future for biodiversity in Ireland.”