Green Limerick: Funding boost for biodiversity projects

A TOTAL OF 16 Limerick City and County Council biodiversity projects have received funding totalling over €96k through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).

The fund supports biodiversity education and awareness projects, bird conservation projects, invasive species management and wetland surveys.

The funding comes as Limerick marks National Biodiversity Week 2024 with a series of events highlighting the importance of biodiversity.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD announced that €2.8 million LBAF funding has been awarded to local authorities across the country for 233 biodiversity projects.

A sum of €25,500 has been allocated under the Limerick funding for a new wetlands survey.

A total of €17,000 has been made available to assist with increasing biodiversity awareness through high impact urban-art biodiversity murals.

Also included among the 16 Limerick projects is funding of €15,000 towards a control programme of giant hogweed in the River Loobagh. A further €3,000 has been allocated to a survey into the removal of giant hogweed and raising awareness of its spread on the Morning Star River.

Another survey receiving funding is an ecological survey of the Newcastle West Demesne with an allocation of €3,400.

The modelling of landscape connectivity for lesser horseshoe bats in County Limerick is to receive €5,207.

Sinead McDonnell, biodiversity officer at Limerick City and County Council said: “The Limerick projects being funded by the Local Biodiversity Action Fund underscore Limerick City and County Council’s commitment to enhancing and protecting Biodiversity across the city and county. The allocated money will be used to increase awareness of issues and support the implementation of the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.

“The funding will put an extra spring in our step as we enjoy the series of engaging events lined up for National Biodiversity Week in Limerick.” First established in 2018, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund was created to assist local authorities in the implementation of actions in support of biodiversity. A total of just over €8.6m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF since the scheme launched.”