€41,000 for Fingal County Council under Local Authority Biodiversity Grants

€25,000 for Turvey Nature Park
€12,000 to clear mature Rhododendron at the Ben of Howth
€4,000 for the removal of newly developing Seabuckthorn stands from the dunes in Portrane
 
Local Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has welcomed the announcement of €41,000 for Fingal County Council under the National Biodiversity Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme.
 
€25,000 has been allocated to develop three new ponds and fill in a drainage ditch in the Turvey Nature Park and the Rogerstown Estuary Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Donabate. The aim of the project to allow the natural hydrology of the site to re-assert itself and it is envisaged that this will result in the development of new brackish and freshwater wetland features. €12,000 has been announced for the clearing of mature Rhododendron from 1.2ha of heathland at the Ben of Howth in the Howth Head SAC and €4,000 has been allocated for the removal of newly developing Seabuckthorn stands from the dunes in Portrane.
 
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “This funding offers assistance to local authority biodiversity officers and heritage officers all across the country. I’m delighted that these excellent biodiversity projects in Fingal have received funding.
 
“First launched in 2018, the Scheme supports actions for biodiversity in local areas and is an important element of the overall National Biodiversity Action Plan implementation. Engagement with communities and local authorities is crucial to the implementation of the Plan and the grants help raise awareness of biodiversity issues locally, regionally and nationally,” he concluded.