Community Foundation Ireland, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, has awarded a total of €33,000 to six Waterford communities in 2025 under their Biodiversity Fund, set up in 2019.
The support for this grant comes from philanthropists and donors to Community Foundation Ireland matched with public funding.
This will support the development of five Community Biodiversity Action Plans for Ardmore, Clonea Power, Dungarvan, Dunhill and Bunmahon guided by the expert knowledge of ecologists to protect local biodiversity.
In addition, Clashmore and Kinsalebeg will receive €8,000 towards the implementation of biodiversity actions under their existing plan.
In recognition of the power of community-led conservation, Waterford City and County Council Biodiversity Officer, Marina Mulligan said, “It is brilliant to see community efforts rewarded and it is an exciting time for biodiversity action in the county. These communities are at the heart of supporting habitats through running biodiversity projects and raising awareness of the unique species in their localities.”
An event celebrating the allocation of the funding was held in Clonea Power, where Ecologist Kevin Collins will conduct a study over the next twelve months on biodiversity in the area.
Students from Clonea Power National School attending the Biodiversity launch at the Old Bridge, Clonea Power.
Carol Delaney, Ola Coughlan, and Katherine Power on hot chocolate duties at the launch of the Biodiversity plan at Clonea Power.
Under the partnership the connectivity of the Foundation to local communities built up over 25 years as a philanthropic hub is matched with the expertise and knowledge of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. More than €591,000 is being provided under the current round to 94 projects.
Congratulating the Waterford awardees, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said, “We are particularly proud that local efforts to protect habitats, plants and wildlife are increasingly growing into a national movement. The fact that this current grant round is impacting every county shows the groundswell of support for biodiversity action.
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