Local TD welcomes funding for Laois Biodiversity projects
€95,255 Funding for 9 Biodiversity Projects in Co. Laois
Sean Fleming T.D. is pleased to confirm that 9 biodiversity projects in Laois have been approved for funding by the Government to a total value of €95,255.
This is part of the Government’s strategy to improve biodiversity across the country. The further good news is that additional funding will be provided next year and the closing date for these applications is the 5th February 2026.
Laois County Council will work with these projects and communities across the county to deliver practical, creative and locally-led actions for nature where it matters most.
Projects for biodiversity improvements include; awareness along the Portlaoise orbital route, a baseline tree survey, treatment of Japanese Knotweed, climate change, biodiversity loss and water management and to establish new Barn Owl nesting sites in Ratheniska.
“I look forward to Laois County Council delivering on these ambitious projects with community support. These projects and the nationwide programme for biodiversity will benefit us all for years to come.“
| Laois | Biodiversity Awareness on the Portlaoise Orbital Route. | The Portlaoise Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2028 is a shared plan of action for Laois County Council and the community to implement national objectives and build on recent progress made for biodiversity and enable Portlaoise to achieve its full biodiversity potential. The plan has nine objectives, each with several specific targets. | €26,749.00 |
| Laois | Study on Ecosystem services – cultural | Biodiversity is not only essential for ecosystem health and climate resilience but also holds deep cultural, historical, and social significance. In Laois, hedgerows, rivers, meadows, and pollinators have long shaped traditions, folklore, agricultural practices, and community well-being. However, modern land-use changes, habitat loss, and climate pressures threaten these culturally significant natural features. | €10,000.00 |
| Laois | Barn Owl Project | Work with the farming community within the chosen project area (15km radius of Rathneska) to establish new Barn Owl nesting sites and raise awareness among the farming community in Laois with regards the conservation of the species. | €6,576.20 |
| Laois | Abbeyleix Road Verge Planting Project | The Abbeyleix Road Verge Biodiversity Enhancement Project aims to transform selected roadside verges along the N77 in Abbeyleix into high-value pollinator habitats through sustainable verge management practices. This initiative aligns with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, follows best practices outlined in Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) Pollinator Corridor Guidelines, and incorporates the principles from Plantlife’s Road Verge Management Guide. | €2,500.00 |
| Laois | LCC Baseline Tree Survey | A Baseline Tree Survey is essential for assessing the current quantity, species diversity, health, and distribution of trees within a pilot area. This data will provide a critical foundation for informed decision-making in urban greening, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience planning. By establishing a clear baseline, we can measure the effectiveness of future tree planting initiatives, track carbon sequestration benefits, and identify gaps in canopy coverage that need enhancement. Additionally, this survey will support the development of a long-term tree management strategy, ensuring sustainable urban forestry practices. | €14,462.81 |
| Laois | Treatment of Japanese Knotweed | Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and Rhododendron ponticum are invasive non-native species that threatens biodiversity, damages infrastructure, and degrades riparian and urban landscapes. In Laois, its presence along riverbanks, roadsides, and green spaces poses a significant challenge to native ecosystems and land use. This project aims to implement a structured treatment and monitoring program to control, eradicate, and prevent the spread, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas such as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), riversides, and urban spaces. | €10,000.00 |
| Laois | Biodiversity Borrow Boxes | By equipping students and community members with the tools to observe, record, and analyze biodiversity, this project fosters a deeper connection to nature and empowers people to take action in protecting local habitats. | €1,000.00 |
| Laois | Nature Based Solutions Project | Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) offer a sustainable, cost-effective approach to tackling environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and water management. In Laois, increasing pressures from extreme weather events, habitat fragmentation, and water pollution highlight the urgent need for green infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation measures. This project will focus on leveraging natural systems—such as wetlands, tree planting, riverbank restoration, and pollinator-friendly landscapes—to create a resilient, biodiverse, and sustainable environment that benefits both people and nature. | €20,000.00 |
| Laois | In Your Nature | This project aims to produce, publish and promote 3 seasons (spring, summer, autumn/winter) of the In Your Nature podcast (https://inyournature.buzzsprout.com/ ) in 2024. Episodes promote the importance of species and habitats and advocate for the conservation and protection of biodiversity. Episodes highlight specific conservation issues, vulnerable species whilst also promoting the general enjoyment of nature (wellbeing) and the natural world by promoting sites of interest and delivering content in a conversational and accessible way for audiences of all knowledge levels with regards to natural heritage. | €3,966.95 |
