Barn owl conservation among Waterford projects to benefit from €50k biodiversity funding
Barn owl conservation among recipients of €50k funding for Waterford biodiversity
Almost €50,000 in funding has been announced for biodiversity projects in Waterford.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, yesterday (May 31) announced a combined €2.7m in funding for local biodiversity projects, with €49,890 allocated to four local biodiversity projects in Waterford.
Speaking about the news, Minister Noonan said, "Given that it’s Biodiversity Week, I’m especially delighted to announce funding of over €2.5 million for 188 biodiversity projects.
"The Local Biodiversity Action Fund is an enormously impactful scheme that supports local authorities and communities to deliver on Ireland’s national objectives for nature, from invasive species to habitat restoration to awareness-raising to surveys and monitoring work.
"As more and more Biodiversity Officers join the ranks of our local authorities, I know that the benefits for nature and people that this Fund provides are only going to grow."
A total of 188 projects have been approved across all 31 local authorities, covering a range of biodiversity-related activities, including invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness and training.
Waterford projects approved this year include just under €19,000 for a training programme on best practice for biodiversity for Council staff, just over €15,000 for barn owl conservation in Waterford, €9,000 for the Brent Geese Tagging Project, and €6,800 for the control of the invasive common cord grass Spartina Angelica at Tramore Back Strand.