From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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• Funds will support pioneering, innovative projects for nature including winterage events in Galway, restoring sand dunes in Waterford and a nationwide Bog Academy
• Projects will support restoration activities in sixteen counties, along with two nationwide projects
• Restoration to focus on protected habitats and species, along with peatlands.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan T.D., has today (8th August) announced more than €458,000 in funding for 36 local community groups and organisations for projects across Ireland under the expanded Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2024.
Minister Noonan said:
“I am really impressed by the diverse and creative initiatives put forward by such active community and volunteer groups and environmental organisations.
The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme is a collaborative scheme which draws on the local community’s deep connection with our natural heritage. Through empowering local communities, we can safeguard our precious ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come."
Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service , the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme supports local initiatives for the conservation and revitalisation of Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) and all peatland areas and promotes public engagement with and awareness of our natural heritage and environment. The scheme is aimed at community-led projects and volunteer groups, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement conservation and restoration in Ireland.
Projects approved this year support the following activities:
- The development and maintenance of amenities
- Conducting surveys to inform management plans for Natura 2000 and peatland sites
- Public outreach, such as the production of information booklets, brochures and training manuals, awareness and education events, education programmes and hosting of seminars with expert speakers
- Invasive species training and management.
Projects to benefit from this funding in 2024 span sixteen counties across Ireland including Galway, Donegal, Westmeath, Offaly, Limerick, Kerry, Cavan, Tipperary, Clare, Roscommon, Louth, Monaghan, Laois, Cork, and Wicklow.
Further details and the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme are available on the NPWS website website.
The breakdown of awards is available here:
Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2024
Grants awarded 2024