Abbeyleix Tidy Towns gets Biodiversity grant

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Receives €6,000 Grant to Enhance Local Biodiversity

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a €6,000 grant to support its ongoing efforts to protect and enhance local biodiversity. The funding will contribute to a range of projects aimed at fostering sustainable habitats, engaging the community in environmental stewardship, and promoting pollinator initiatives through tree planting and citizen science activities.

The funding was provided by Community Foundation Ireland in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, as part of a broader effort to support local biodiversity action plans. This is one of 94 projects receiving support under this initiative, which aims to empower communities to take action for nature.

Robbie Quinn, Chairman of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, welcomed the grant, stating, “This funding will make a significant difference in our efforts to protect local wildlife and support biodiversity. Our projects will create lasting habitats for pollinators and other essential species, and through active community involvement, we’ll ensure that these initiatives have a real, tangible impact on Abbey Leix’s environment.“

Robbie continued, “We would also like to express our gratitude to the Community Foundation for their ongoing support over the years. Their help has been crucial in enabling us to develop a more biodiverse and sustainable community. Support like this is essential for small voluntary groups like ours, and we truly appreciate the trust placed in us. We are committed to ensuring that this funding is well spent and will help us continue our important work.“

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, emphasized the importance of community efforts in tackling Ireland’s biodiversity crisis: “If we are to successfully tackle our national biodiversity crisis, we must all work together. This partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Community Foundation Ireland is a great example of how we can empower and support community organisations to learn about their local biodiversity and create unique action plans for their areas.“

This grant will enable Abbeyleix Tidy Towns to advance its Biodiversity Action Plan and further its commitment to environmental sustainability. The support from the Community Foundation and National Parks and Wildlife Service will help Abbeyleix Tidy Towns bring its vision to life, with plans for tree planting, pollinator-friendly habitats, and community-led citizen science projects.

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, expressed her pride in the growing national movement to protect habitats, plants, and wildlife: “We are particularly proud that local efforts like those of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns are becoming part of a larger national movement. This current round of funding is impacting every county, showing the groundswell of support for biodiversity action.“

Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, added: “NPWS is delighted to support community groups like Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in their efforts to enhance local biodiversity. This is the kind of whole-of-society approach we’ve advocated for in the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.“

For more information about Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and its biodiversity initiatives, please visit www.abbeyleixtidytowns.net or email us at info@abbeyleixtidytowns.net