Funds To Help Protect Clare’s Biodiversity

The Fund was established last year by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government following the Interim Review of the Implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan 2002-2006. Administered by the Heritage Council, with the support of Clare County Council, it aims to encourage and enable people to undertake capital projects that help protect Clare’s abundance of wildlife and wild places.

The types of works being targeted by the Fund include enhancement, protection and conservation of Biodiversity, creating wildlife areas, removing invasive species, and planting native wild flowers and trees.

Commenting on the Fund for 2008, Ms. Congella McGuire, Heritage Officer, Clare County Council, stated, "The objective of this Fund is to support site conservation and management for the enhancement of biological diversity at a local level. Priority will be given to high quality and well thought-out applications that assist the management of sites that contain habitats of special conservation importance in Ireland, or which support threatened or vulnerable species."

"A grant allocation can cover up to 50% of the project cost and can be used in conjunction with grants from other sources. Individuals, community groups, properly constituted non-profit organisations, local authorities, statutory institutions, academic institutions and private companies are eligible to apply to the Fund for grant assistance. Applications from local community groups are particularly welcome", she explained.

Mr. John Murphy, Biodiversity Officer with Clare County Council stated, "Clare has a rich variety of different animals and plants as well as some of the best examples of habitats in Europe. However, our biodiversity is disappearing fast with animals and plants becoming extinct and habitats being damaged. Therefore, I would urge anyone interested in protecting their local biodiversity to consider applying for funding."

He continued, "Biodiversity is all living things from the tiniest insect to the mighty oak. It is the variety of life on our planet. Our health, economy and quality of life depend on a healthy environment rich in biodiversity. Here in Clare, its presence is everywhere, in our parks and gardens, by our roadsides, in our rivers and seas, and our ‘living landscapes’."

Application forms will be automatically sent out to all previous applicants, and may also be downloaded from www.heritagecouncil.ie. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 15 February 2008.

For further information contact the Heritage Council (056-7770777) or the Heritage section of Clare County Council (065-6821616).

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:
- To arrange an interview please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com.

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