Laois receives funding to protect and promote local peatlands

Laois has received over €20,000 in funding to support local peatlands.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD has announced that Laois has been granted €20,738.40 to support local peatlands under the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme.

Over €458,000 in funding has been announced for 36 local community groups and organisations for projects across Ireland under the expanded scheme.

€14,219.40 of funding for Laois is dedicated to 'getting bugs back to a good vegetative state', with a further €6,519 allocated to a bog conservation and education demonstration project.

Projects to benefit from this funding in 2024 span 16 counties across Ireland including Galway, Donegal, Westmeath, Offaly, Limerick, Kerry, Cavan, Tipperary, Clare, Roscommon, Louth, Monaghan, Laois, Cork, and Wicklow.

The aim of the fund is to development and maintenance of amenities, conduct surveys to inform management plans for Natura 2000 and peatland sites, and for training around the management of invasive species.

The grant is also to support public outreach, such as the production of information booklets, brochures and training manuals, awareness and education events, education programmes and hosting of seminars with expert speakers.

Of the 36 grants awarded under this scheme, two are dedicated to nationwide projects.

A grant of €3,800.39 has been awarded to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council to promote peatland community education online.

RE-PEAT received €5,000 in funding for education through their Bog Academy nationwide.

 “I am really impressed by the diverse and creative initiatives put forward by such active community and volunteer groups and environmental organisations," said Minister Noonan.

"The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme is a collaborative scheme which draws on the local community’s deep connection with our natural heritage.

"Through empowering local communities, we can safeguard our precious ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come," he finished.

Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme supports local initiatives for the conservation and revitalisation of Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA).

The scheme promotes public engagement with and awareness of our natural heritage and environment. It is aimed at community-led projects and volunteer groups, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement conservation and restoration in Ireland.