A COMMUNITY group in Limerick is set to get a share of funding under the Government’s Peatlands Community Engagements Scheme.
Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment are the only Limerick group out of a total of 24 to receive funding under this initiative, and will be given €4,800 for the conservation and management plan for Griston bog in Ballylanders.
Overall, €290,000 has been allocated to community groups and organisations nationwide for the conservation of Ireland’s peatlands.
Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme encourages local initiatives to conserve and revitalise raised and blanket bogs – particularly protected bogs and fens – and promotes public engagement with our natural heritage and environment.
The scheme primarily supports community-led projects and volunteer groups, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement peatland conservation and restoration in Ireland.
Announcing the funding, which has been operating since 2018, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, said that he was delighted to see the diverse range of initiatives put forward by such active community and volunteer groups and environmental organisations.
“Communities play a vital role in the mission of the National Parks and Wildlife Service to protect nature. Peatlands in Ireland are often at the heart of these communities. This funding will support the work that local communities and volunteers do as custodians of our natural heritage.
“Our peatlands are places of serenity and a wonderful showcase of what nature has to offer hosting a huge variety of plants, supporting animals and rare species who have adapted to life in the bogs.”
“The bogs of Ireland are places that epitomise community spirit and I am delighted to be able to continue to support community organisations and others in their efforts to embrace nature and support biodiversity,” the Minister concluded.
