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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Enough hedgerow to reach from Cork to Kiev planted under ACRES
Some 2,400km of new hedgerow, enough to go from Cork to Kiev, have been planted under the country's flagship €1.5bn agri-environmental scheme, ACRES. But the country still faces a biodiversity crisis, the Dáil was told during statements on nature and wildlife. It was held to highlight National Biodiversity Week, organised by the Irish Environmental Network and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Ministers pointed out more than 54,000 farmers are now participating in ACRES and much progress has been made in delivering highly ambitious landscape actions. But the Dáil was also reminded by Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly that much of the natural environment is under threat. Our life support system is on the brink of collapse and the picture is stark. Over the past 40 or 50 years, every single indicator has been on a downward trend. 'Natural habitats are being degraded or homogenised, forest cover is being eroded, and species are becoming extinct. 'We, as a country, share a deep connection with nature and this is a devastating loss for Ireland. 'As a result of the deep connection we have with nature, however, there remains hope — hope that with the right determination and political will, we can turn this ship around. We are required to act,' he said. Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said the amount of land farmed organically since 2020 reached 225,000ha last year. Organic farmers are reducing their use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, improving soil health and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions reductions. This is just a flavour of how the implementation is delivering on the objective set out in the €9.8bn strategic plan, which extends to all aspects of agriculture and rural life in Ireland, he said. Mr Heydon said ACRES aims to address the more complex environmental issues through targeted actions on farm and landscape level. 'The scheme has encountered issues, of which I am acutely aware, as it sets a new framework for delivering on complex environmental actions in tandem with farmers and advisers,' he said. Nature and biodiversity minister Christopher O'Sullivan said he was under no illusion. We have not solved the biodiversity crisis. Species are still in trouble. Habitats are still under threat and many trends are going the wrong way. However, we have an opportunity to fix that. 'We are putting together a nature restoration plan, and we should use it as an opportunity, first and foremost, to improve outcomes for biodiversity, but it should also be done in a collaborative way. 'We need to include landowners, farmers, stakeholders and conservationists. Collaboration is the key', he said. Mr O'Sullivan said he had seen at first hand the amazing results of collaboration between farmers and conservationists. 'Corncrake LIFE was a difficult journey at the start. There was distrust between the conservationists and the farmers. 'It was a frosty relationship, but now we are the stage where those same farmers and conservationists are having cups of tea in the farmers' kitchens and depending on one another. They need one another. 'It has not only resulted in a good outcome for farmers, with them benefiting financially, but we are seeing it have a benefit for an extraordinary bird, the corncrake, that has such an important place in Ireland's history. 'We are seeing their numbers increase significantly in some areas because of this collaboration. It is a model for how Ireland should move forward to benefit nature,' he said. Labour TD Ciarán Ahern said some 91% of the country's habitats were in an unfavourable condition and 15% of protected species were in decline. A lot of the degradation we have seen in our biodiversity and ecosystems is, historically, of farming practices. I acknowledge there is a lot of anxiety among that cohort about the necessary measures we have to take in the agricultural space in order to deal with this crisis. 'We saw that in some of the responses to the nitrates directive and the EU nature restoration law, especially in regard to rewetting. We urgently need to rewet a considerable amount of our peatlands, but we must do so in a manner that ultimately benefits those who work that land. The principles of a just transition must apply,' he said. Cork TD Liam Quaide said the legal protections in place for habitats were wide open to abuse, due mainly to exemptions in the Wildlife Act, the cultural failure to take such crimes seriously and the ongoing lack of resourcing of the NPWS. Green Party leader Roderick O'Gorman said the Europe he wanted to see had more bees and fewer bombs. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the State was not only failing to do enough to protect biodiversity, but was actually destroying it through the ongoing killing of badgers.
Agriland
12-05-2025
- Agriland
200 events planned for National Biodiversity Week
Ireland's nature and wildlife will take centre stage from May 16-25, with over 200 events scheduled across the country for National Biodiversity Week. As well as highlighting the importance of biodiversity, National Biodiversity Week is also about experiencing the fun, enjoyment and spectacle of the nature and connecting with a wilder world. The annual 10-day celebration of nature and wildlife offers a variety of free events and activities for the whole family. Organised by the Irish Environmental Network and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the week will provide opportunities for the public to connect with nature and learn from local experts and groups actively working to protect natural heritage. Minister of State for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan said: 'National Biodiversity Week is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to connect with nature, and to experience first-hand its importance in our lives. 'During the week we can appreciate, and also learn, simple but powerful actions that we can all take which will protect nature. 'The Irish Environmental Network has put together a really impressive programme of events this year, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 'It's encouraging to see even more events happening around the country this year, and I'd like to thank all of the organisations, agencies, and NGOs who collectively make the week such a success.' National Biodiversity Week The minister of state has also encouraged people to visit a national park, nature reserve or protected area, many of which will be hosting events and activities throughout the week. Events will reach communities in every corner of Ireland, showcasing coasts, rivers and estuaries, hedgerows, wetlands, native woodlands and the marine environment. Guided nature walks and field trips for children will introduce participants to pollinators and other biodiversity in local greenspaces. Hands-on workshops will cover topics ranging from composting and willow weaving to bat box building and pond creation. The public is encouraged to discover wildlife with whale watching, farm walks, bat walks, biodiversity cycle tours and art workshops. Amateur nature photographers are invited to submit photos for the 13th annual Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition, happening throughout May. As people gather to celebrate biodiversity across Ireland, there will also be discussion on how to protect and restore biodiversity. As National Biodiversity Week kicks off, a variety of in-person and virtual events will bring communities together nationwide to be inspired by nature and learn how to pitch in to protect it. Families and students can even participate in National Biodiversity Week at home through special events like the 'Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt', a self-guided activity to discover wildlife in gardens or local parks. Welcoming the launch of National Biodiversity Week, chief executive officer of the Irish Environmental Network, Karen Ciesielski said: 'It is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Ireland's fascinating wildlife and habitats at free events nationwide. 'People all around the country can learn more about the natural world surrounding them and how to take actions that support wildlife and biodiversity. 'Discovering the wonder of nature is the first step to local dialogue and action to restore biodiversity in Ireland. 'By reconnecting people to a wilder world and the wonders of nature, Biodiversity Week is also a call to action to help address the alarming decline in our natural habitats. National Biodiversity Week not only celebrates nature but inspires people to protect and enhance it.' Director general of the NPWS, Niall Ó Donnchú added: 'NPWS is delighted to support this important initiative and to see it going from strength to strength. 'This week is about putting it in our nature to protect nature. Enhancing public awareness about nature is key to delivering the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and weeks like this help us to do that. 'It is a fantastic time of year to enjoy the annual awakening of nature in all its vibrant symphony of sounds, sights and scents.'
