Drogheda Tidy Towns is to receive a boost with a grant of €5,000 to support the development of two local Biodiversity Action Plans which will help protect and promote plants, wildlife and habitats, locally.

The grant from Community Foundation Ireland in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service will ensure that the steps to protect local biodiversity will be guided by the expert knowledge of ecologists.

Drogheda Tidy Towns Chairperson Gerry Leydon welcomed the support, saying:

“This project provides a valuable opportunity for us, with expert support, to develop practical community biodiversity action plans for two urban areas in Drogheda. The selected areas are The Dale, a significant wild public space with great potential for biodiversity enhancement, including the historic Bully’s Acre graveyard.

"Additionally, we will focus on Knockbrack Downs, a residential area where we aim to create a biodiversity template that can be applied to similar local estates."

"As part of this work, we will map and assess these two distinct habitats in Drogheda, classifying and evaluating their ecological value while proposing actions to enhance the biodiversity. Additionally, we will actively seek input from and engage local communities to foster a greater understanding, appreciation, and commitment to protecting the natural local environment”.

Nationally more than 94 projects are receiving support with more than 250 communities implementing local action plans since the partnership between the Community Foundation and the Parks and Wildlife Service started in 2019.The support being provided comes from philanthropists and donors to the Foundation matched with public funding.

Making the announcement, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD said:

“If we are to successfully tackle our national biodiversity crisis, we must all work together. This partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Community Foundation Ireland is a great example of how we can empower and support community organisations to learn about their local biodiversity and use that knowledge along with their creativity to come up with a plan which is unique to their area. I’m really impressed with the range of projects involved and excited to see the outcomes of their work.”