Laois’s raised bogs are set to benefit from an award of €15,000 under the Community Peatlands Engagement Scheme.
The award will be made to the National Association of Regional Game Councils and the funding will be used to receive expert advice in planting the correct seeds in the correct habitats to support the restoration of raised bogs.
Laois have been allocated the money to engage an expert to gain advice, knowledge and expertise in the area of planting the correct seeds in the correct habitats and following this advice for the planting of seeds which will support the restoration of raised bogs.
Total grant funding of €160,000 has been announced by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD under the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme.
The scheme encourages local peatland communities, local groups, local schools and individuals to conserve and revitalise fens, raised and blanket bog in Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas and other peatland areas.
It also promotes public engagement with and awareness of our natural heritage. The focus of the scheme is on community-led projects and volunteer group, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement peatland conservation and restoration in Ireland.
The scheme is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, a division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Funding from the 2022 Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme will support peatland conversation projects in many ways including:
Conducting surveys to inform peatland restoration management plans; Developing visitor amenities, including the installation of information and anti-littering signage; The development and maintenance on bog trails; Public outreach, such as the production of information booklets, brochures and training manuals, awareness and education days, education programmes and hosting of seminars with expert speakers.
Projects that will benefit from this funding span across Ireland including Galway, Westmeath, Kildare, Offaly, Mayo, Kerry, Cavan, Monaghan and Dublin.
Minister Pippa Hackett said “The projects receiving funding today show great community imagination and ambition.
“They include a Summer Solstice Event on Tony’s Hill area of Clara Bog, in my own area of North Offaly and I hope I can attend that.
“I’m delighted to see that almost €50,000 of the total fund award of €160,000 is coming to the counties of Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.
“We all know we need to change how we perceive our Peatlands and I am really grateful for those Communities who are taking a leading role in driving this change.
“I do not underestimate how difficult it can be to change attitudes but I do know that Communities like those who were successfully funded today are vital for the preservation of these special habitats.
“I hope to see Community Peatlands projects benefiting under the upcoming EU Just Transition funding and will do all I can to support the delivery of these.”
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