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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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Laois County Council County Hall in Portlaoise.
Laois County Council has launched a consultation on biodiversity issues within the county and wants to hear your thoughts. A number of events are being held across Laois to gather information to form a Biodiversity Action Plan.
A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) provides a strategic framework for protecting, enhancing, and restoring biodiversity. It brings together stakeholders, sets priorities, and enables Laois to meet national and EU conservation targets while supporting a sustainable and healthy environment for future generations.
Under the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan, it is a requirement for all government departments and local authorities to have Biodiversity Action Plans in place by the end of 2026. The process to create a Draft Biodiversity Action Plan is currently underway, to set out how we can protect, restore, and enhance local nature. Public engagement will commence the week of September 8 through to October 31. All are encouraged to attend a session and participate in the consultation process.
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It is an opportunity to identify biodiversity issues and needs at local level and to discuss mechanisms to address them locally. At these public engagement sessions participants will also hear about funding available soon to community groups for biodiversity projects under the Community Climate Action Fund. This funding is 100% and also covers other climate positive projects like sustainable travel, reuse and repair, locally grown food, community building retro fits and renewable energy.
The consultations will be held in the following venues from 5pm-7pm, in 1 hour slots with first 5-6pm and the second 6-7pm: Rathdowney Youth Cafe: Tuesday, September 9. Abbeyleix Library: Thursday, September 25. Camross Community hub: Thursday, October 2. Killeshin hub: Tuesday, October 7. Portarlington Community Centre: Wednesday, October 22. Portlaoise Library: Thursday, October 16.
Written submissions are also invited and should be received by the Laois Biodiversity Officer by October 31, 2025. To make a submission go to Laois.ie from Monday, September 8.
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