Laois Tidy Towns Champs get thousands of euro for community biodiversity

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a €6,000 grant to support its ongoing efforts to protect and enhance local biodiversity.

The 2024 national Tidy Towns Champs told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the Community Foundation Ireland / National Parks and Wildlife Service funding would contribute to several projects.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns hope to advance its Biodiversity Action Plan and further its commitment to environmental sustainability in the Laois community. The support will also help with tree planting, pollinator-friendly habitats, and community-led citizen science projects.

Robbie Quinn, Chairman of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, welcomed the grant.

"This funding will make a significant difference in our efforts to protect local wildlife and support biodiversity. Our projects will create lasting habitats for pollinators and other essential species, and through active community involvement, we’ll ensure that these initiatives have a real, tangible impact on Abbeyleix’s environment."

"We would also like to express our gratitude to the Community Foundation for their ongoing support over the years. Their help has been crucial in enabling us to develop a more biodiverse and sustainable community. Support like this is essential for small voluntary groups like ours, and we truly appreciate the trust placed in us. We are committed to ensuring that this funding is well spent and will help us continue our important work," he said.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns is one of 94 projects receiving support under this initiative, which aims to empower communities to take action for nature. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Former Minister Heather Humphreys met local children when she visited Abbeyleix in 2024 to launch that year's SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards. 

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, emphasized the importance of community efforts in tackling Ireland’s biodiversity crisis.

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"If we are to successfully tackle our national biodiversity crisis, we must all work together. This partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Community Foundation Ireland is a great example of how we can empower and support community organisations to learn about their local biodiversity and create unique action plans for their areas," he said.

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, expressed her pride in the growing national movement to protect habitats, plants, and wildlife: "We are particularly proud that local efforts like those of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns are becoming part of a larger national movement. This current round of funding is impacting every county, showing the groundswell of support for biodiversity action."

Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, added: "NPWS is delighted to support community groups like Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in their efforts to enhance local biodiversity. This is the kind of whole-of-society approach we’ve advocated for in the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan."

For more information about Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and its biodiversity initiatives, please visit www.abbeyleixtidytowns.netor email us at info@abbeyleixtidytowns.net

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns has been actively working for over 60 years to enhance the town's environment through sustainable projects and community engagement.