Press release
Grants of up €5,000 announced for biodiversity and nature recording
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
A grant scheme providing support to Ireland’s nature recording community has opened its applications for 2022. The scheme, managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, aims to help naturalists recording in Ireland to maintain and enhance their expertise in species identification. The scheme also aims to encourage and develop the next generation of specialist recorders, particularly as throughout the COVID-19 pandemic many members of the public have spent more time in nature and developed greater interest in biodiversity.
Grants are aimed at volunteer, unpaid recorders, or groups, societies and associations of recorders who have limited/no access to financial supports for their work. This is the fourth year of the grant scheme and so far it has supported over 30 projects run by individuals and groups. Projects have covered the entire range of Irish natural history including site recording of many biological groups (e.g. moths, other terrestrial invertebrates, bats, plants, and marine organisms), support for publications and updating of web sites, and support to purchase specialist equipment to track bird movements.
The data generated by these recording exercises is utilised by the NPWS to generate information on species and habitats. In turn, it informs advice on nature conservation objectives and practical measures to protect species.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D. said:
“I’m delighted to announce that this popular scheme is open to applications again this year. We’ve seen some great work done in local communities through this scheme and I’m proud to support the work of our specialist recorders with these grants. I hope, given the increased time people have spent engaging with nature over the past two years during periods of lockdown, that more nature enthusiasts will apply for this funding and join this vibrant network.
This scheme also supports the work of the NPWS in recording many aspects of individual species and provides great value to our Department in establishing useful data to support conservation.”
Applications should be submitted by 5pm on 13th April 2022. The form and further details can be found here .
Ends
Notes to the Editor
The maximum value of an individual grant is €5000. The number of grants awarded will be determined by the total budget and the quality of the applications. NPWS reserves the right to award as many grants as are deemed suitable. In general, a project is expected to be completed within 2022, however projects that extend into 2023 are eligible. Grant recipients may apply for an extension should there be an unforeseen delay to any project. Only one such extension will be permitted. Any such change must be agreed as early as possible with NPWS (see conditions 1 and 3)
Types of projects
Grants can be used for biological recording and for collation and dissemination of data related to the Natural History of Ireland. Applications covering all areas of Irish Natural History are welcome - there are no restrictions on the habitats or species groups that can be covered by the projects.
The types of costs that can be covered under the grant scheme are:
• Fieldwork expenses (travel and subsistence) within Ireland. Fieldwork expenses outside Ireland will not generally be covered, but may be eligible where there is a demonstrable benefit to natural history recording in Ireland
• Purchase of specialist fieldwork equipment, books and keys
• Costs of running workshops and training courses
• Costs of attending specialist training courses
• Costs of visits to museums to do research in collections
• Publication of atlases, field guides or keys
• Websites and online databases
• Discrete elements of larger projects
Grants will not cover:
• assets such as computer hardware
• conservation management work
• any aspect of professional employment
• academic research