Laois community efforts to protect and promote local plants, wildlife and nature are getting a major boost with two local projects being supported to develop and implement local action plans.
The plans are being supported under a long-standing partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and its philanthropists with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Under the partnership, communities in Laois and across the country are provided access to expert ecologists to decide the best ways to protect or promote wildlife and then to implement through the Action Plan.
Some 252 communities across the country have been supported by the Community Foundation and the Parks Service since 2019.
Portlaoise Tidy Towns are to receive €10,000 for the installation of Rain Garden Planters throughout the town.
Proto-types will be developed and installed in six high profile buildings as a first step with a further roll-out of planters to follow.
Rain garden planters are a nature-based solution to capture urban rainwater run-off. They can improve water quality, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The planters are also vital to increase wider public awareness of the importance of nature.
While Abbeyleix Tidy Towns is set to get €6,000 to create sustainable habitats through tree planting, pollinator initiatives, and citizen science efforts in Abbeyleix.
The creation of wildlife corridors with the large scale planting of trees and shrubs, with a focus on native species.
Robbie Quinn, Chairman of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, welcomed the grant, saying: “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 said: “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.”
