Heritage Council welcomes launch of Offaly’s first Biodiversity Action Plan

The Heritage Council is welcoming the launch of Offaly’s first-ever Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030, a landmark initiative that sets a clear path for protecting and enhancing the county’s natural heritage. The plan outlines 53 priority actions across five key areas: Surveys and Monitoring, Actions for Biodiversity, Invasive Alien Species, Building Resilience, and Awareness and Engagement.

The Heritage Council in partnership with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) has created an initiative to place a biodiversity officer in every local authority in the country, ensuring that every authority has a qualified and dedicated professional to lead conservation efforts. Following publication of guidelines for the development of local biodiversity action plans by the Heritage Council, the launch of Offaly’s Biodiversity Action Plan marks the beginning of a wave of action plans rolling out nationwide, as local authorities step up to protect and restore nature.

This ambitious plan for Offaly aligns with the aims of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030 and represents a vital step in translating national biodiversity policy into local actions, reflecting Offaly’s valuable habitats and ecosystems, special places like the Shannon Callows and the Slieve Bloom mountains, and engaged communities across the county. It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, ensuring that Offaly plays its part in tackling the global biodiversity crisis while addressing local challenges.

By focusing on climate resilience, combating invasive species, and restoring fragmented ecosystems, it provides a vital roadmap for safeguarding Offaly’s biodiversity for generations to come.

The development of this plan was a collaborative effort, shaped by input from local communities, environmental groups, landowners, and professional bodies as well as the Heritage Council. Through two extensive public consultation phases, individuals and organisations across Offaly contributed their knowledge, concerns, and aspirations, making this a truly community-driven initiative.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said:

“We are delighted to be here today, as Offaly County Council is the first in the programme to publish their Plan, based on Heritage Council guidelines. It is the hope that by 2026, all Local Authorities will have a Biodiversity Action Plan in place – two more Plans will be launched in the coming months in County Galway and Limerick.

The integrated, holistic approach to heritage embraced by Offaly County Council is particularly inspiring, drawing on community input, expert knowledge, and policy guidance to chart a course for sustainable, impactful conservation. The Heritage Council looks forward to supporting Offaly County Council, the Biodiversity Officer Ricky Whelan, and local communities as they deliver this ambitious and essential plan.”