Clare County Council has launched a public consultation on the pre-draft phase of its Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030.

The new Clare Biodiversity Action Plan, coordinated by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office, sets out the vision and direction for biodiversity management for the next six years and when complete will represent an agreed plan for the future of biodiversity in County Clare.

The plan aims to establish a framework for biodiversity action, intending to halt biodiversity loss within County Clare. Rooted in the goals outlined in Ireland's fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (2023-2030), the Clare Biodiversity Action Plan will serve as its foundation.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said: "This public consultation process presents members of the public with a valuable opportunity to have their say on the future of biodiversity in the county. There are lots of ways to participate and it is important that the Council receives input from the public."

Barry O'Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer, Clare County Council, said: "Public participation at this early stage of the plan-making process is important to ensure that the new Biodiversity Action Plan both reflects and responds to public concerns and aspirations, as well as addressing the ‘biodiversity emergency’ and national and regional biodiversity strategies and guidelines. We would like to hear the views of people on where biodiversity loss can be addressed at a local level. This could be something as simple as planting more native trees to replace ash-dieback trees along field margins, planting hedgerows, pond creation, adopting pollinator friendly mowing regimes, reducing herbicide use, installing barn owl boxes, undertaking outreach programmes and community biodiversity training events or larger initiatives such as peatland restoration and afforestation of larger sites for native woodland establishment."

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The preliminary consultation phase aligns with National Biodiversity Week, scheduled from 17 May to 26 May 2024. The Biodiversity Officer of Clare County Council has organised biodiversity events, which will be showcased across Clare County Council and Greener Clare's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and X.

Community groups, individuals, stakeholders or groups/associations representing the interests of children, are all encouraged to make observations in forming the new Clare Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030. A dedicated 'Have Your Say' online platform is available on Clare County Council’s website.

Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Barry O’Loughlin highlights that this is "a real opportunity for the public to play their part for biodiversity. Clare has one of the highest number of Community Biodiversity Action Plans in the country and providing input into the development of the new county Biodiversity Action Plan will be important for undertaking biodiversity actions at local level."

Helen Quinn, Senior Planner, Clare County Council, added: "We would ask the public to look at biodiversity in their local area and actions they would like to see included in the new Biodiversity Action Plan or the issues they feel that are affecting biodiversity that need to be addressed."

The Clare Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2030 Issues Paper is accessible online, offering an overview of the forthcoming Biodiversity Action Plan and the challenges confronting biodiversity at a countywide scale.

The public consultation closes on 4 June 2024.