Fingal publishes 100 urgent actions to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030

Fingal County Council has published a programme of 100 actions required to reverse biodiversity loss in the county by 2030.

The actions are set out in the draft Biodiversity Action Plan for Fingal 2022 to 2030,

Hans Visser, Fingal County Council’s biodiversity officer, says the loss of biodiversity is a threat on the same scale as the climate emergency and requires urgent attention.

“There is serious concern for biodiversity in Fingal.

“Habitats are being damaged or lost and species numbers have declined.

“The key threats to biodiversity in Fingal are habitat loss as a result of development, recreational disturbance, climate change, water pollution, and invasive species.

“The important thing to note is that much of it is preventable or reversable if the right resources are deployed. We need nature in our lives and must work to protect it.”

Fingal County Council has placed special priority on 32 of the 100 actions which it says are achievable with support from partners including Birdwatch Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and local Tidy Towns groups.

These 32 actions were “determined by existing project commitments, most of which require significant staff inputs over many years.”

Some of these actions include the continued management  of  the  Howth  Head  SAC  and  the  Rogerstown  Estuary SAC/SPA, making open space more biodiversity friendly, and the implementation of Tidy Towns Biodiversity Plans.

Other actions include “ecological  studies  to  inform  the  planning  process  and  the  County Development Plan” and “updating the Fingal Biodiversity website to disseminate the study reports and project information.”

Mayor of Fingal, councillor Séana Ó Rodaigh, says it is important to look at the big picture when thinking about biodiversity.

“Fingal has a unique and beautiful blend of urban and rural places from our stunning coastline, to our famous rich agricultural lands and busy thriving towns.

“Birds, marine life, flora and fauna are just some of the biodiverse elements that make Fingal such a special place and the Biodiversity Action Plan will help us preserve these ecosystems.”

Two online information sessions are planned to provide an opportunity to learn more about the Biodiversity Action Plan and ask questions of Fingal County Council’s Biodiversity Officer.

Interested people can register for information sessions taking place on Wednesday, 15 June and Thursday, 23 June at https://consult.fingal.ie.

The Council are asking the public to read the plan and share their feedback.

They are encouraging individuals and organisations with an interest in climate action and nature conservation to get involved in planning to protect and enhance biodiversity for future generations.

The plan is available to view on the council website and in the council offices in Swords and Blanchardstown.