Far reaching biodiversity plan looks to reverse decline by 2030

A new Biodiversity Action Plan has been published for Fingal that aims to halt biodiversity loss and help ensure that future generations can enjoy the diverse range of habitats, plants and animals that we take for granted today.

The extensive plan addresses biodiversity challenges such as habitat loss, degradation, and species decline, focusing on enhancing and protecting biodiversity in both urban and rural areas. Integrating international and national biodiversity strategies, it maps out an ambitious programme of 100 specific actions to reverse the decline in biodiversity by 2030, making Fingal the first local authority in Ireland to have made such a commitment.

Focussed on key themes like ecological network development, biodiversity in urban planning, climate change adaptation, and community engagement in biodiversity conservation, the plan emphasizes collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, including local communities, to implement a comprehensive approach towards preserving Fingal's natural heritage.

Praising the efforts of all those who contributed to the development of the plan, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, said: “This Action Plan includes an exciting vision for biodiversity in Fingal and sets out a framework within which Fingal can grow sustainably. The importance of biodiversity should not be underestimated - preserving our biodiversity is crucial for maintaining a robust environment that not only fosters life and human well-being, but also underpins economic stability within our community.”

The new action plan highlights the essential role nature plays in Fingal’s future development and the immense value that biodiversity brings to the lives of all its residents. The goal is to foster a County that thrives in biodiversity, ensuring that current and future generations have access to the abundant natural wonders right at their doorstep.

Underscoring its commitment to creating thriving environments, communities and economies that benefit the people of Fingal, the Council is set to recruit a Biodiversity Officer, an Assistant Biodiversity Officer and a Marine Biodiversity Officer early in 2024.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Our Biodiversity Action Plan provides an excellent opportunity to examine our own work practices and lead the way by developing demonstration projects on how to design nature inclusive housing estates, managing parkland and open space for biodiversity and how to improve the water quality in our rivers and estuaries.”

Around €1 million was spent supporting biodiversity actions in Fingal across 2023, including works to remove cherry laurel in the Ward River Valley and restoration works at St Ita’s Demesne and Turvey Nature Park. Exeter University also completed a Brent Geese Satellite tracking project which has wielded a wealth of information on how these birds spend the winter here, while the Council also supported Birdwatch Ireland volunteers with their Little Tern project in Portrane which has helped oversee the birth of 13 fledgelings this summer.

Chair of the Fingal Biodiversity Forum, and Co-Director of the Climate+ Biodiversity and Water Co-Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Professor Yvonne Buckley, said: “Protecting and restoring ecosystems is critical for both mitigating climate change and adapting to climate change induced risks. It is great to see the integration of climate action and biodiversity action in the Fingal Biodiversity Plan through the implementation of river, wetland and estuary restoration projects. These habitats sequester significant amount of carbon while also reducing the impacts of extreme rainfall and drought events.”

Looking ahead to next year, there are plans to establish a partnership and develop an operational plan for the Liffey Valley SAAO, conduct a biodiversity makeover of three housing estates, initiate a wetland restoration project at the Bog of the Ring, construct a fish bypass in the Ward River Valley, install Osprey breeding platforms, and prepare guidance documents for incorporating biodiversity in new housing developments.

Helping to launch the biodiversity plan, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said: “There is a real urgency to deal with the significant loss of habitat and species nationwide. We all realise that a step-change is required to halt the loss of biodiversity through implementing new ideas collective action and more innovative nature conservation models. The Fingal Biodiversity Action Plan is an ambitious but achievable undertaking and I look forward to its implementation.”