Secretary of State for Nature, Biodiversity and Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan, has announced €3 million in funding under the Biodiversity 2026 Local Action Fund.
A range of local authority-led projects have been selected for support through this fund, managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Advertisement during National Biodiversity WeekMinister O’Sullivan said this funding for 209 nature projects across the country would have “huge impacts on our habitats and wildlife”.
“I would like to congratulate all our biodiversity officers, who will now launch these initiatives and bring communities together to promote nature in their local areas,” the Minister said.
“The fantastic range of projects being funded reveals the passion, experience and ambition of our local authorities to work for nature.”
Nature’s suggestions
The proposals include everything from surveying declining bird species, such as the swift, to managing meadows to boost wildflowers and restore sand dunes and wetlands.
“There are practical, hands-on projects too, such as removing invasive species, as well as projects expanding into more counties such as the Hare’s Corner and Return to Nature initiatives,” Minister O’Sullivan added.
The Minister also visited Louth County Council’s Baltray Little Terns Conservation Project, which received funding under the LBAF in 2025 and again this year.
“During my visit, I learned how the project produced nearly 250 baby birds last year – the highest number since it began in 2007,” he said.
“When we provide people with the knowledge and resources to act, they can make a real difference in the survival of even the most vulnerable ground-nesting birds.”
Protecting natural heritage
NPWS Director General, Niall Odonchu, added: “Our public and shared spaces are vital for biodiversity, as well as our health and wellbeing.
“I am pleased to see such a high level of applications this year.
“By supporting these projects, we enable local authorities to work directly with their communities to protect the natural heritage in their local areas.”
Examples of approved projects for 2026 include:
- Habitat survey of the Dodder River.
- Managing invasive species on council-owned land in Tipperary;
- Cork City Wildflower Meadow Enhancement Project;
- Forest bat monitoring – Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Sligo, Meath, Monaghan, Wicklow;
- County wide environmental surveys for Kerry;
- Habitat improvement in the Daxpool Wetland, Dungarvan.
Local authorities will now begin implementing these projects.
