A number of events are set to take place across Ireland to celebrate National Biodiversity Week 2023.

From 19-28 May, this celebration will see biodiversity walks, fun talks and workshops held across the nation.

National Biodiversity Week is coordinated by the Irish Environmental Network and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The purpose of the week is to engage the public in a range of nature-related activities, and to generate greater awareness of Ireland's nature at a local level. Community groups, education providers, NGOs and nature experts are amongst those leading events to create a better understanding of nature and to share their expertise in Ireland's habitats, plant and animal species and ecosystems.

Welcoming the launch, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD said: "National Biodiversity Week offers something for everyone to go wild and have fun connecting with nature in their local area. I'd like to encourage everyone to check out the website and see what's going on locally, get involved in one of the hundreds of free events and learn about the work being done by organisations around the country to protect and conserve our natural world. I'd also like to congratulate the many groups participating in Biodiversity Week and the huge work done by the Irish Environmental Network to coordinate an excellent programme in celebration of nature."

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Justin Byrne, Chief Operating Officer at the Irish Environmental Network commented: "Irish Environmental Network is pleased to announce more than 150 events to celebrate Biodiversity Week 2023. Providing opportunities for people to explore nature is essential to bringing greater awareness to the biodiversity crisis in Ireland. When we spend time in the company of nature, we can't help but be reminded of how precious our natural heritage is. Biodiversity week is all about reconnecting with the natural world, developing respect for it, and playing our part to protect it."

National Biodiversity Week also presents an opportunity for the public to learn more about the organisations working in their local area to reverse biodiversity loss and conserve nature. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund was doubled to €3million this year to assist local biodiversity activities. First launched in 2018, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund offers funding to help Local Authorities achieve actions identified in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, recognising the important role they plan in addressing the biodiversity emergency. This funding stream enables the development of projects that address biodiversity loss in Local Authority areas by helping to create new habitats, restoring existing ones and by tackling invasive alien species.