More than 200 local nature projects set to receive €3m
Louth County Council’s Baltray Little Terns Conservation, which received funding last year and was successful in its application this year, produced 250 fledglings in 2025.
As part of National Biodiversity Week, a €3m investment has been announced for more than 200 nature projects.
The allocation of €3m in funding under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026 will benefit a diverse range of local authority-led projects, totalling 209, that have been selected for support through this fund, which is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Minister of state for nature and biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said: “The impressive range of projects being funded reveals the passion, expertise and ambition in our local authorities to act for nature, with proposals including everything from surveying species of birds in decline, such as the swift, to managing meadows, to enhance wildflowers and restoring dunes and wetlands.”
“There are practical, hands-on projects too, such as removing invasive species, as well as projects that are expanding into more counties like the hare’s corner and return to nature initiatives.”
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Examples of approved projects for 2026 include:
- Habitat survey of the Dodder River;
- Invasive species management on council-owned lands in Tipperary;
- Cork City wildflower meadow enhancement project;
- Woodland bat monitoring — Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Sligo, Meath, Monaghan, Wicklow.
- Countywide ecological surveys for Kerry;
- Habitat enhancement at Duckspool Wetland, Dungarvan.
Mr O'Sullivan also visited Louth County Council’s Baltray Little Terns Conservation Project, which received funding under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund in 2025 and again this year.
“The Little Tern Conservation Project at Baltray, Co Louth, is a fantastic example of what the Local Biodiversity Action Fund can achieve on the ground.
"During my visit, I learned how the project produced almost 250 fledglings last year — the highest number since it began in 2007. When we equip people with the knowledge and resources to act, they can make a real difference to the survival of even our most vulnerable ground-nesting birds.”
The Local Biodiversity Action Fund was originally established in 2018 to assist local authorities in implementing biodiversity actions.
Director general of NPWS Niall O’Donnchú, added: “Our public and shared places are vital for biodiversity, as well as for our health and wellbeing. I am delighted to see such a high standard of applications this year.
"By supporting these projects, we are empowering local authorities to work directly with their communities to protect the natural heritage in their own localities.”
