What is Louth County Council doing for biodiversity?

What is Louth County Council doing for biodiversity?

Local Authorities lead many of the actions that are taken at a city and council level. They have many duties in relation to biodiversity and seek to embed the protection and enhancement of biodiversity through the functions and services they deliver. Louth County Council does not have any monitoring, enforcement or legal powers in relation to biodiversity.

Ireland’s first National Biodiversity Action Plan (2002 – 2006) called for all Local Authorities to produce Local Biodiversity Action Plans. The purpose of these plans is to ensure the protection and appreciation of nature at the county (local) level. The current Local Biodiversity Action Plan for County Louth 2021-2026 was endorsed by Louth County Council in January 2021. The Council is working to deliver the 42 actions detailed in this Plan. More details about Louth’s current and past Biodiversity Action Plans can be found here.

In October 2023 Louth County Council appointed its first Biodiversity Officer with funding awarded under the Local Authority Biodiversity Officer Programme. The programme is being delivered by the Heritage Council and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Local Authority Biodiversity Officers work at city and county level collecting data on biodiversity, carrying out conservation projects, developing policy, providing advice and information and raising awareness.

The Heritage Council supports the Biodiversity Officer post in Louth County Council and provides support for the delivery of the Local Biodiversity Action Plans. 

You can find out more about the Local Authority Biodiversity Officer Programme on The Heritage Council website and by viewing this video.

Louth County Council’s Biodiversity Officer has been working to prepare for the review of the 2021 Plan to reflect the current context and align with Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030. The Biodiversity Officer will set up a Biodiversity Working Group and through public consultation will update the Plan and agree a shared vision and plan of action for biodiversity in Louth.

You can contact Helen Hanratty, the Louth County Council Biodiversity Officer by emailing biodiversity@louthcoco.ie