What action can I take for biodiversity?
We all have a role to play in responding to the biodiversity crisis. The members of the parallel Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss perhaps captured its essence best when they asked that we “treat the earth like it was a member of the family or a friend”.
Learn:
You can learn about the biodiversity in your area and the most appropriate actions to take to protect and enhance it.
A wide range of information resources can be found on the Action for Biodiversity website.
The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity.
Find out about the biodiversity in your area. You can print a report for the biodiversity in your area using the National Biodiversity Data Centre Biodiversity Maps.
The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is a framework bringing together different sectors to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive. There are simple ways everyone can help, whether you have a business, a farm, a community group, a garden, or a window box. Information resources, guidelines, planting lists, flyers, signs and posters can be found here. Don’t forget to record your actions for pollinators through the Actions for Pollinators online mapping system.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service have maps and data related to a wide range of habitats, species and protected sites. You can find out more here.
You can take part in biodiversity training and workshops. Details of the National Biodiversity Data Centre programme of workshops can be found here.
Collect data and submit records:
Recording Ireland’s Wildlife: A Beginner’s Guide gives information on how to get involved in biological recording. You can submit records through Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal find out more here.
The National Biodiversity Data Centre operates a number of citizen science driven monitoring programmes that generate high quality, scientifically robust insights to track change in Ireland’s biodiversity. These include surveys to monitor butterflies, bumblebees, dragonflies, rare plants, hedgehogs, squirrels, stoats, otters and marine biodiversity. You can find out more about where to submit biodiversity records on the National Biodiversity Data Centre website here and on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website here.
Take action:
No action is too small. We can all play a part in helping to reverse the loss of biodiversity!
Consider what actions you can take for biodiversity in your home, garden, school, workplace and community. Work with others by joining a group, this can really help to make an impact and opens up lots of opportunities to share knowledge, resources and apply for funding.
Louth County Council provides and supports a number of grants for funding related to biodiversity action. For more information about funding available view the Louth County Council Communities Funding website and the Louth Public Participation Network website and follow on social media.
Garden for biodiversity by planting for pollinators, reducing your grass mowing and pesticide use, providing habitat for wildlife by planting a native tree or hedgerow or digging a pond.
The Heritage Council have produced a series of short films with simple steps you can take in your garden for biodiversity here. A Gardening for Biodiversity booklet can be found here.
Raise awareness:
It is said that you can’t protect what you don’t know. Record and promote the action you take to help raise awareness and inspire others to take action. There are a number of annual events focused on biodiversity, take part by promoting your work through an event.
If you are planning or have carried out actions for biodiversity let your Biodiversity Officer know so they can help support and promote your work.
National Biodiversity Week: 17 – 26 May 2024
National Biodiversity Week is all about connecting with nature. It’s about communicating the importance of biodiversity and providing motivation to play your part in protecting it. It is organised by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
For inspiration, ideas and events happening view the National Biodiversity Week website.
View the Louth Biodiversity Week 2024 Events Programme here.
National Heritage Week: 17 – 25 August 2024 “Connections, Routes and Networks”
National Heritage Week is run by the Heritage Council. It celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiastic to share their experience, knowledge, culture and practices.
For inspiration, ideas and events happening view the National Heritage Week website.
