Cavan to benefit as funding for local biodiversity projects doubled

Over €44,000 was allocated to local projects in Cavan in 2022.

Cavan biodiversity projects are set to benefit from news that the government is doubling funding to €3 million for 2023.

The 2023 Local Biodiversity Action Fund supports Local Authorities to progress local biodiversity projects in their respective counties.

Local Authorities can now apply for funding for 2023 projects, and funded projects must align to the actions of the National Biodiversity Action Plan.

Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, made the funding announcement yesterday.

The scheme, operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has proven hugely popular, and saw 109 projects funded nationally last year.

A wide variety of projects were financed including in the areas of Wetland Restoration, Bird Surveys, Dune restoration, Biodiversity Awareness and Invasive Alien Species.

Over €44,000 was allocated to local projects in Cavan in 2022. This included the development of a new biodiversity plan for Cavan to raise awareness at a local level and establish a Biodiversity Steering Group.

It further funded a feasibility study for the management of aquatic invasive alien species in Cavan that will make data available in an accessible database.

A targeted field survey of wetlands in Cavan that will build on an existing preliminary inventory of wetlands throughout the region was also supported.

First launched in 2018, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund offers funding to help Local Authorities achieve actions identified in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, recognising the important role they plan in addressing the biodiversity emergency.

Minister Noonan said: “I’m delighted to be able to double the funding for this vital biodiversity funding scheme, which has proven immensely popular with Local Authorities, who have carried out really impactful projects with the funding. We have seen increasing participation in biodiversity and invasive species projects year-on-year, and the benefits of this are shared by all of us, not least local communities.”

He added that reversing biodiversity loss is among the “greatest challenges of our times”.

“Locally-led initiatives can be extremely impactful – supporting them is an important part of the response. Local Authorities play an important role in these efforts.”