Biodiversity Officer appointments signal beginning of new era for protection of wildlife at local level

The Heritage Council and the County and City Management Association (CCMA), with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, have today announced the appointment of the first biodiversity officers in the country under a new initiative announced last year. The programme will see a biodiversity officer appointed to every local authority in the country by the end of 2024.

This programme is led by the Heritage Council, who are funding the salary costs of the Biodiversity Officers. The Heritage Council is making an initial investment of €1.6m in the programme. This investment is likely to grow in future years.

The appointments are timely given the publication this month of recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss which further highlight the urgent need to confront the biodiversity crisis threatening our ecosystem. The newly appointed biodiversity officers will directly address many of the recommendations, including the improvement in management of hedgerows, restoring peatlands, tackling invasive alien species and engaging local communities.

The biodiversity officers will also provide training and advice to local authority colleagues on biodiversity related issues and their obligations in relation to protecting resources such as urban woodlands, parks, nature-based solutions and management of public lands. They will be responsible for raising awareness about the issues affecting biodiversity and climate change at local level and assist in developing and executing city and county-wide biodiversity plans.

A full overview of the responsibilities is available here.

The appointment of Biodiversity Officers in Kildare and Westmeath are at an advanced stage and will also shortly commence in their new roles. Biodiversity Officers are already working in Fingal, Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, and Galway City.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, remarked:

"It’s fantastic to see the first Biodiversity Officers being appointed into their new roles. The creation of a Biodiversity Officer post in every local authority was a key Programme for Government commitment, and I’d like to commend the staff of the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Heritage Council and the local authorities for their tremendous efforts to deliver on it.

“Today marks a significant milestone on our collective journey to protect and restore nature across the country and promote the value of biodiversity within our communities. Working in tandem with their Heritage Officer colleagues, the Biodiversity Officers will play an instrumental role in implementing the National Biodiversity Action Plan, engaging with communities supporting local authorities to deliver positive action for nature and wildlife at the local level."

Dr Martina Maloney, Chair of the Heritage Council, congratulated Kilkenny, Cork City, Offaly and Wicklow County Councils, stating:

"Biodiversity is the bedrock of our natural heritage and our planet's wellbeing. The crucial work of these Biodiversity Officers will ensure the protection and preservation of our invaluable biodiversity. The Heritage Council eagerly anticipates supporting and collaborating with them in their roles."

Chief Executive of Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, added:

"The appointment of County Biodiversity Officers marks a significant leap in our efforts to safeguard and conserve Ireland's rich biodiversity. Alongside the recent appointments, seven more Biodiversity Officers will soon begin work in local authorities, putting us on track to have 20 officers in place by the end of the year. I would also like to highlight the work done by the Heritage Council’s newly appointed Head of Heritage and Climate Change, Catherine Casey, who has done fantastic work to get us to this stage, and who will oversee the programme in the months and years ahead."

Local elected representatives have warmly welcomed the appointments, underlining the importance of biodiversity conservation and community involvement at the grassroots level.

Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Frank Moran, said:

“We are delighted to welcome our new County Biodiversity Officer, Ricky Whelan, with his strong track record of working with communities and communications in natural heritage, we look forward to him developing a range of proactive partnership biodiversity projects in the county”

In Kilkenny, Cathaoirleach Pat Fitzpatrick stated:

"The appointment of our new County Biodiversity Officer, Bernadette Moloney, is a crucial step towards preserving and promoting Kilkenny’s biodiversity. We look forward to collaborating with Bernadette to develop and implement impactful biodiversity plans that will benefit our communities and environment."

Wicklow County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tommy Annesley added:

"We are thrilled to welcome Laura Kehoe as the dedicated Biodiversity Officer for Wicklow, and I am looking forward to working with her in safeguarding the rich natural heritage of our county. This appointment is a testament to our commitment to protecting and enhancing our environment."

Welcoming the appointments under the national programme, John Mulholland, Chair of the CCMA Rural Development, Community, Culture and Heritage (RCCH) Committee said:

“The County and City Management Association is delighted to support the important Biodiversity Officer Programme and very pleased to see these appointments being made and the programme moving forward. The expertise of Biodiversity Officers strengthens significantly our efforts at local authority level to protect and encourage appreciation of biodiversity in our areas. The appointment of biodiversity officers will help the local government sector to build on our ambition to integrate biodiversity considerations across all of our operations and strengthen our capability to address biodiversity loss and promote climate action in our work and in our communities.”

For details of the work of Local Authority Biodiversity Officers see https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/our-work-with-others/biodiversity-officer-programme

Notes to editors

Media contact:

Please contact Pearse Ó Caoimh of the Heritage Council, to arrange an interview

T. 085-8590378 E. pocaoimh@heritagecouncil.ie

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