Donegal Biodiversity Boost: Over €97000 Funded for Seven Local Conservation Projects
Seven biodiversity initiatives in Donegal have secured a total of €97,546 under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026. This funding is part of a broader initiative that allocates €3 million across approximately 260 projects within 31 local authorities.
Funding Details and Objectives
Junior Minister for Nature, Heritage, and Biodiversity, Charlie McConalogue, welcomed this funding, emphasizing its role in research, habitat management, and the control of invasive species. The scheme aims to bolster local authorities’ efforts outlined in Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP).
Background of the Local Biodiversity Action Fund
Established in 2018, this fund has provided over €13 million to local authorities for biodiversity initiatives over the past seven years. Each project under this scheme is designed to support conservation efforts across the country.
Projects Funded in Donegal
The following seven projects have received funding:
- Supporting IAS recording and control in Donegal: €18,700
- Recording Irish mayfly – establishing conservation status: €1,228
- Putting Donegal Biodiversity on the Map: €12,903
- Development of a Woodland Bat Monitoring Survey: €4,110
- Updating the Donegal Species Audit – Phase II: €8,500
- Maintenance of Predator Exclusion Fences: €30,940
- Donegal Wetlands Field Survey 2024: €21,165
Looking Ahead
The funding announcement aligns with the ongoing commitment to promote biodiversity in Ireland. The National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030, launched in January 2024, envisions a future where biodiversity is valued, conserved, and sustainably used, ensuring healthy ecosystems and significant benefits for all.
