PICTURES: Community and biodiversity combine in Limerick village's big plan

“WE DO not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

The famous saying has been taken to heart by Glenroe Tidy Towns who say, “We have a duty to return it to the next generation in good order”. 

They commissioned the Glenroe Community Biodiversity Action Plan, with funding from Community Foundation Ireland.

The Tidy Towns group say “now is the time to act”.

“This plan gives us a roadmap which will guide our actions over the next five years. 

“The implementation of this plan will give us a greater awareness of the wonderful world we live in and of our role and our ability to improve and preserve this for the future.”

MC at the launch - Mary Coffey, chairperson of Glenroe Tidy Towns - welcomed John Scanlan, of Ballyhoura Development, who introduced Sinéad McDonnell, Limerick City and County Council.

Ms McDonnell spoke of the proactive work of Glenroe Tidy Towns, the value of the plan and officially launched it. 

Veronica Santorum, an ecologist who penned the plan, talked about what she learned from her research and survey. She then described how quickly the stakeholders had commenced potential actions discussed.

Ms Santorum invited stakeholders - farmers, Ann Lyons, Jerry Rea, Dick Lyons and head teacher at Glenroe Community National School, Toni Maguire to share an example of their implementation of actions. 

Carmel Fox, Glenroe Tidy Towns, then spoke about the potential for implementation with Darren Barry, Limerick City and County Council, providing information on the Community Climate Fund. 

Ms Coffey, chairperson,  thanked all who were involved with the project, with special mention for the comprehensive work undertaken by Ms Santorum, and invited all present to take a summary of the biodiversity action plan home with them.

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