Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister of State for Nature, Biodiversity and Heritage, has announced the allocation of €3 million in funding under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) 2026.

Seven specific projects across County Laois have been selected to receive financial support through this latest funding round:

• Semi-natural grassland survey | €25,500 A countywide survey will identify, map, and assess the condition of semi-natural grasslands to strengthen the evidence base for their protection and management. Semi-natural grasslands are among Ireland's most biodiversity-rich habitats, supporting a wide range of plants, pollinators, and birds, yet they have suffered severe declines, with native grasslands experiencing some of the greatest habitat losses and over half of Ireland's native plant species now in decline.

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• ReFarm Laois - Wetland restoration/creation in Laois | €25,000 A countywide survey will identify, map, and assess the condition of semi-natural grasslands to strengthen the evidence base for their protection and management. Pond creation provides a high biodiversity return, supporting diverse species groups and rapidly enhancing ecological value in the landscape.

• Triogue Invasive Species Survey | €17,850 A targeted survey will document invasive species distribution along the Triogue catchment to inform future control and management actions.

• Bat Survey on the River Barrow and River Nore SAC | €13,600 A comprehensive bat ecology study will assess species presence, habitat connectivity, and conservation needs along this Natura 2000 river corridor to inform biodiversity management on a landscape scale.

• Significant Tree Survey | €10,200 This project will identify and record trees of ecological, heritage, and amenity value to support conservation and urban tree planning.

• Laois Living Boundaries Project | €4,250.00 This initiative focuses on enhancing boundary features such as hedgerows or field margins to improve habitat connectivity and biodiversity value across the landscape.

• Abbeyleix Road Verge Alignment | €2,125 This project will align verge management along Abbeyleix roads to enhance biodiversity through improved habitat management practices.

Lisa Doyle, Biodiversity Officer at Laois County Council said: "Investing in these projects allows us to better understand, protect and restore biodiversity in Laois, ensuring our natural heritage is safeguarded for future generations."