Funding For 9 Wicklow Biodiversity Groups

Vartry through Mount Usher

atest press release from Wicklow County Council, issued on Tuesday, June 14th 2022…

A range of projects across County Wicklow are to benefit from grants to support the protection and enhancement of local waterbodies.

The Community Water Development Fund is providing a total of just over €23,500 for nine community groups around Wicklow.

Projects approved for grant funding in County Wicklow include:

• Hydrogeological assessment of Arklow Town Marsh to preserve the protected aquatic habitat (Arklow Tidy Towns)
• Glencree River Water Quality Project: Improvement and assessment (An Óige Knockree Conservation Group)
• Three separate Ecological Assessments of Cannistown River/Kilcoole Stream, Newcastle River and Swan River, Bray (Keep Kilcoole Tidy/Kilcoole Biodiversity Group, Newcastle Residents Association/ Biodiversity group, and Bray Tidy Towns/Swan River Conservation Group respectively)
• Enniskerry Tidy Towns Cookestown River Invasive Species survey and action plan
• Snapshot Europe 2022 Wildlife Survey across Wicklow Water Habitats (ReWild Wicklow)
• Refurbishment of Observation Hide at BirdWatch Ireland’s East Coast Nature Reserve (BirdWatch Ireland) and
• The Park Stream, Shillelagh. Installation of solar powered water fountain (Shillelagh Peoples Property Ltd)

Cllr Shay Cullen, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council, welcomed the announcement, saying: “I am delighted to see these hard working community groups acknowledged with grant funding to support them in delivering projects to enhance their local water bodies. These local community groups play a key role in the protection of their local environment in collaboration with LAWPRO, Wicklow County Council and the other relevant agencies.”

The ReWild gang

Congratulating the Wicklow groups who were successful in receiving funding, Chief Executive Brian Gleeson added: “Wicklow County Council will continue our vital work with the community and the other agencies to protect the water quality of Co Wicklow’s streams, rivers, lakes and coastal areas. I congratulate these groups for their engagement and participation in this initiative and recognise the value of the work they do.”

The Community Water Development Fund will continue to be a key measure in the new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, which will be launched later in 2022. The Plan aims to protect Ireland’s water quality, and to ensure we have a well-protected environment and vibrant communities for future generations.

For more information on all grants awarded in 2022 click here and for information on enhancing local water bodies in County Wicklow contact Dónal O’Keeffe, Community Water Officer on 0858700126 or dokeeffe@lawaters.ie.

For the latest on water quality, science, and stories of community activities, click here.