Cork biodiversity projects get grant support

Efforts to save plants, wildlife, and habitats in Cork are to receive grant support of €59,600 from Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Nine projects have been approved for funding through a partnership dating back to the declaration of a biodiversity national emergency in 2019.

Courtmacsherry Development Association have received funding to develop a community biodiversity action plan; Green Skibbereen to develop a community action plan, and the Munster branch of the IRFU for a community action plan for Munster Rugby, including Virgin Media Park and Thomond Park.

RECIPIENTS

Other funding recipients are Ballinlough Residents’ Association to plant pollinator beds, begin a pond installation, and install bee and bug hotels and bat boxes; Ballinora and District Community Association to conduct a targeted assessment of the Curraheen River to establish water-quality standards and inform necessary corrective actions, and Nature Network Ireland to deliver a series of creative and educational activities focused on birds and nature within Tramore Valley Park.

Macroom and Rosscarbery Tidy Towns will both also receive grants, to commission an evaluation project for the eradication of invasive species and for plans including tree and shrub planting, hedgerow maintenance, and surveys of bats, butterflies, and bees, respectively, while Baltimore Harbour Community Leisure Centre will use their awarded funding to reduce light pollution at the Wild Atlantic Pool.

Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland, said: “The crisis in nature is grave, there can be no hiding from that.

“It is also equally clear that Cork communities are crucial if we are to address the challenges highlighted by ecologists, researchers, and other experts.

“This partnership of philanthropic and public support has always been pioneering and it is great to see more communities taking action informed by expert ecologists.”