News from Biodiversity Ireland
November 2024

This monthly newsletter provides an update on some of the work of the National Biodiversity Data Centre and highlights upcoming events. 

27th edition of Biodiversity Ireland

We're excited to announce the release of the this year's Biodiversity Ireland Winter edition.

In this feature, the National Biodiversity Data Centre has unveiled a new online portal designed to spotlight national, local authority, and community biodiversity action plans. Developed in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, this innovative platform provides valuable resources to empower communities to take action for biodiversity.

Explore recent project highlights, species recording achievements, and conservation efforts from organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Bird Watch Ireland, the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Butterfly Conservation Ireland and Bat Conservation Ireland.

Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum

The National Biodiversity Data Centre hosted a landmark forum ‘Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species’ in Dublin. This event brought together experts, policymakers and stakeholders to advance our understanding of biosecurity and invasive species across the island of Ireland..

Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology delivered a compelling keynote speech on the global threat of biological invasions. Additional speakers throughout the day highlighted the critical roles of regulations, biosecurity, surveillance, and monitoring in preventing and controlling the spread of invasive species across freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in focused workshops that addressed data collection, early detection, rapid response strategies, and catchment management. These sessions provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, network, and collaborate on future work. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where attendees explored future approaches and addressed audience questions.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. Together, we can protect our shared island’s unique biodiversity for generations to come.

Tidy Towns Pollinator Award 2024

The winners of the 2024 Tidy Towns Pollinator Award have been announced. The Pollinator Award has run since 2016 as a Special Award in the annual Supervalu Tidy Towns awards. It is administrated by the local authority Heritage and Biodiversity Officer network and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

The aim of the award is to encourage and reward pollinator-friendly actions by Tidy Towns groups in line with the recommendations of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Each winner is awarded a prize of €1,000.

Sneem Tidy Towns were the overall winners this year. Ballymun Tidy Towns were awarded ‘best newcomer’, and regional awards were given to Athboy Tidy Towns, Clonmel Tidy Towns, Kilsheelan Tidy Towns, Raheny Tidy Village Group, Oranmore Tidy Towns, and Belmullet Tidy Towns/ Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead.

The quality of applications this year was so high in 2024 that eight further Tidy Towns were highly commended for their work for pollinators. Huge congratulations to all the winners and highly commended towns. 

Picture: Sneem River Walk (Sneem Tidy Towns)

Green Flag Pollinator Awards 2024

The 2024 Green Flag Awards have been announced by An Taisce Environmental Education, after a record-breaking year. The 2024 Green Flag Awards celebrate the recognition of Ireland’s best parks and green spaces.

Three of the 2024 applicants were given a special award for their work supporting pollinating insects. The Pollinator Award is jointly run by An Taisce Environmental Education and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. This award works by assessing pollinator-friendly management of parks and community green spaces. These are scored against the recommendations of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

This year’s Green Flag Pollinator Plan Award overall winner was Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park in Kerry, who also won in the Town Park category. The two other winners were Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Wild Nephin National Park (Country Park/ Demesne winner), and Sneem Garden of the Senses (Community Garden winner).

Seven further parks were highly commended due to the quality of their applications. Congratulations to the winners and highly commended parks.

Annual Meeting with Local Authority Biodiversity Officers

At the start of November, we had the pleasure of hosting Local Authority Biodiversity Officers from across the country at the SETU Campus in Waterford.

Our team shared updates on our current projects and future plans for data systems and training initiatives. This gathering provided a great opportunity for Biodiversity Officers to exchange ideas on how the National Biodiversity Data Centre can support their efforts in advancing biodiversity action at the county level. We are looking forward to collaborating with Biodiversity Officers in the months ahead!

Recent Records