Waterford is among the counties to have received part of a €1.4 million funding boost for biodiversity projects across the country.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noon TD, made the announcement of the funding, which was received under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).
Projects can include invasive species management, dune restoration, wetland surveys, or education and awareness projects.
"Successful projects are all contributing to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP ) and helping to advance our shared vision for nature. The new NBAP is currently out for public consultation, so it’s a great opportunity for people to have their say and help shape the future for biodiversity in Ireland,” Minister Noonan said.
Three Waterford-based projects have received funding.
The Birds Education project received €5,100. In January 2022 GPS tags were attached to Brent Geese in Dungarvan.
The project would now see talks by the Irish Brent Research Group being implemented in both primary and secondary schools.
A Biodiversity Awareness project has been awarded €5,950 to design and install two wildlife interpretation signs at Colligan Estuary in Dungarvan and at the Boating Lake in Tramore.
The third project to receive funding is one on the Conservation of the Freshwater Pearl Mussel. In 2019, an assisted breeding programme for the molluscs was established.
The scientific research element of the project includes environmental DNA testing of river water. Water samples throughout the River Clodiagh catchment and at the Kilmeaden hatchery will be tested for Pear Mussel DNA.
The aim is to see if their presence can be detected using this method. The project received €3,000 in funding.
The public consultation for Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan launched on September 1st and submissions are invited through a link on the government's website.
The public consultation will close on November 9th and the NBAP will be published in early 2023.
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