Over €95,000 for Laois biodiversity projects

NEW barn owl nesting sites, road verge planting and the treatment of devastating Japanese Knotweed are among the local biodiversity projects that will share more than €95,000 in grants.

Nine biodiversity projects have been approved for government funding announced this week, with a total of €95,255 to be administered by Laois Co Council.

The biggest slice of funding at €26,749 will go towards biodiversity awareness on the Portlaoise orbital route, under the Portlaoise Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2028.

The shared ‘plan of action’ sees the council and the community implement national objectives and build on recent progress, enabling the town to achieve its full biodiversity potential.

A further €20,000 will go to the county’s Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) project, offering a sustainable, cost-effective approach to tackling environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and water management.

Project leaders in Laois say that increasing pressures from extreme weather events, habitat fragmentation and water pollution have highlighted the urgent need for green infrastructure, ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation measures.

The NBS project is focusing on leveraging natural systems - such as wetlands, tree planting, riverbank restoration and pollinator-friendly landscapes - to create ‘a resilient, biodiverse, and sustainable environment that benefits both people and nature’.

A total of €14,462.81 will go to Laois Co Council’s Baseline Tree Survey, which is assessing the current quantity, species diversity, health and distribution of trees in a pilot area. The council says the data will provide ‘a critical foundation for informed decision-making’ in urban greening, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience planning.

By establishing a clear baseline, the survey can measure the effectiveness of future tree planting initiatives, track carbon sequestration benefits and identify gaps in canopy coverage that need enhancement. The survey will support the development of a long-term tree management strategy, fostering sustainable urban forestry practices.

Treatment of highly invasive and destructive Japanese Knotweed in the county has been allocated €10,000, as the plant threatens biodiversity, damages infrastructure and degrades riparian and urban landscapes.

In Laois, Japanese Knotweed along riverbanks, roadsides and green spaces poses a significant challenge to native ecosystems and land use. The project aims to implement a structured treatment and monitoring program to control, eradicate and prevent the spread, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas such as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), riversides and urban spaces.

Another €10,000 has been granted for a cultural study on ecosystem services, as biodiversity is not only essential for ecosystem health and climate resilience but also holds deep cultural, historical and social significance.

Local hedgerows, rivers, meadows and pollinators have long shaped traditions, folklore, agricultural practices and community wellbeing. However, modern changes in land use, habitat loss and climate pressures threaten these culturally significant natural features.

The county’s long-running Barn Owl Project has been granted €6,576 to work with the farming community in the chosen project area, within a 15km radius of Ratheniska, to establish new nesting sites and raise awareness regarding the conservation of barn owls.

The popular In Your Nature podcast has been awarded €3,966.95 to produce, publish and promote three seasons of episodes. The podcast focuses on the importance of species and habitats and advocates for conservation and protection of biodiversity. 

Episodes highlight specific conservation issues and vulnerable species while also promoting general enjoyment of nature and wellbeing, by promoting sites of interest and delivering content in a conversational and accessible way for audiences of all knowledge levels.

The ongoing Abbeyleix Road Verge Biodiversity Enhancement Project will receive €2,500, as it transforms selected roadside verges along the N77 into high-value pollinator habitats, through sustainable verge management practices.

The smallest slice of funding at just €1,000 will be spent on Biodiversity Borrow Boxes, which give people the tools to observe, record and analyse local biodiversity.

Welcoming the latest round of funding, Laois TD Seán Fleming said that additional funding will also be provided next year, with a closing date of 5 February for applications.