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Public asked for input into new Biodiversity Action Plan for County Clare

16 May 2024

Members of the public are being invited to have their say in the development of a new Biodiversity Action Plan for the county.

Public consultation for the pre-draft phase of the Clare Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030 is now underway. The new Clare Biodiversity Action Plan, coordinated by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office, sets out the vision and direction for biodiversity management for the next six years and when complete will represent an agreed plan for the future of biodiversity in County Clare.

The plan will provide a framework for biodiversity action with the aim of halting biodiversity loss in County Clare. The Clare Biodiversity Action Plan will be underpinned by the objectives of Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, is encouraging people to get involved. He added, “This public consultation process presents members of the public with a valuable opportunity to have their say on the future of biodiversity in the county. There are lots of ways to participate and it is important that the Council receives input from the public.”   

The pre-draft consultation phase of the Biodiversity Action Plan commenced on Friday, 3rd May, and will run to Tuesday, 4th June, 2024, and members of the public are asked to participate in the process and have their say in the development stage of the new Biodiversity Action Plan. Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer, Clare County Council, said, “Public participation at this early stage of the plan-making process is important to ensure that the new Biodiversity Action Plan both reflects and responds to public concerns and aspirations, as well as addressing the ‘biodiversity emergency’ and national and regional biodiversity strategies and guidelines. We would like to hear the views of people on where biodiversity loss can be addressed at a local level. This could be something as simple as planting more native trees to replace ash-dieback trees along field margins, planting hedgerows, pond creation, adopting pollinator friendly mowing regimes, reducing herbicide use, installing barn owl boxes, undertaking outreach programmes and community biodiversity training events or larger initiatives such as peatland restoration and afforestation of larger sites for native woodland establishment.”

The pre-draft consultation phase coincides with National Biodiversity Week, which runs from 17th to 26th May, 2024. Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer has organised biodiversity events which will be promoted through the Clare County Council and Greener Clare social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and X).

Community groups, individuals, stakeholders or groups/associations representing the interests of children, are all encouraged to make observations in forming the new Clare Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030. A dedicated ‘Have Your Say’ online platform is available on Clare County Council’s website. Submissions/observations on the new Clare Biodiversity Action Plan can be made by:

 

There will also be an opportunity for the public and community groups to learn about funding opportunities for biodiversity projects at in-person walk-in events. In-person public walk-in events with Clare County Council's Biodiversity Officer are detailed below:

  • 14th May (11:30am-2:30pm): An Teach Cheoil, St Andrew's Church of Ireland, Church Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, V95 WKV2
  • 14th May (4:00pm-8:00pm): Kilrush Public Library, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare, V15 W577
  • 16th May (4:00pm-8:00pm): Scarriff Public Library, Mountshannon Road, Scarriff, Co. Clare, V94 NY3
  • 27th May (11:00am-5:00pm): Clare County Council Headquarters (Reception Area/Main Foyer), New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95DXP2
  • 29th May (3:00pm-7:30pm): Shannon Town Centre (unit next to Holland & Barrett), Shannon Town Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare, V14 K239.                  

 

The Clare Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030 Issues Paper is available to view online, which provides a high-level outline of the next Biodiversity Action Plan and the issues facing biodiversity at a countywide level. Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Barry O’Loughlin highlights that this is “a real opportunity for the public to play their part for biodiversity. Clare has one of the highest number of Community Biodiversity Action Plans in the country and providing input into the development of the new county Biodiversity Action Plan will be important for undertaking biodiversity actions at local level.”

Helen Quinn, Senior Planner, Clare County Council, added, “We would ask the public to look at biodiversity in their local area and actions they would like to see included in the new Biodiversity Action Plan or the issues they feel that are affecting biodiversity that need to be addressed.”

For more information visit: https://yoursay.clarecoco.ie/clare-biodiversity-action-plan-24-30

 

Caption:

Pictured at Ballyallia Lake, Ennis, to launch the public consultation for the pre-draft phase of the Clare Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030 were Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer, Clare County Council; and Candace Ingram, Planning Department, Clare County Council. Photo: Natasha Barton.

Page last reviewed: 16/05/24

Content managed by: Planning Department

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