New plan to protect Wicklow’s landscapes and wildlife until 2030 is adopted
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has adopted a new biodiversity action plan that will remain in place until 2030.
The plan aims to address biodiversity loss across the county and foster a more sustainable and resilient natural environment.
As the first local authority in Ireland to declare a biodiversity and climate-change emergency back in 2019, Wicklow County Council has renewed its pledge to protect the rich biodiversity of the county. The plan will provide a five-year framework that builds on national efforts to halt the decline of native species and habitats.
The county stretches from the summit of Lugnaquilla - Leinster’s highest peak at 925 metres - through river valleys, farmland, and native woodlands, to over 60 km of coastline along its eastern flank. The landscape also contains a high proportion of semi natural habitats, many of which remain ecologically important both within and beyond protected sites.
The plan is underpinned by the objectives of Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan, which places emphasis on local action to address global biodiversity challenges, including the restoration of ecosystems, safeguarding key species, and promoting nature-based solutions to mitigate climate impacts.
The local authority has been undertaking work on biodiversity through a range of initiatives such as the Swift Project, the Barn Owl Project and the coastal restoration initiatives. These efforts have been augmented since 2019, with the formation of the Climate Action Team.
Speaking at the council’s December monthly meeting biodiversity officer Hannah O’Kelly outlined why she believes the plan is important.
“I have been working as an ecologist and conservation scientist for 25 years, and I know we're in trouble, but I would say that there is a growing recognition that climate break down, biodiversity loss, they're not just abstract environmental concerns for people like me.
“People are increasingly realising that these are very real and very urgent emergencies. And they're interconnected emergencies. I would say that now it's time to put our proverbial money where our mouth is, and we really need to ramp up the actions to make sure we can get ourselves out of trouble before it is too late.”
Ms O’Kelly said the county is facing significant pressures, and successful implementation of the plan will be based on everyone concerned working together.
“There are pressures from urban development, infrastructure development, from recreational pressures. We have amazing uplands, we have a beautiful extensive coast, but this makes us vulnerable to climate change. So, we must address these pressures.
“One of the things that makes Wicklow very appealing is its beautiful diverse landscapes. And in this diversity is the key because in diversity there's resilience.”
“So, we have to focus on protecting and restoring this diversity.” she added.
The action plan is already helping to guide practical action, informing land-use decisions, and connecting people with the nature around them. Through a series of new partnerships and better supports, community groups, farmers, and local schools are managing land for biodiversity, and monitoring local wildlife.
Addressing the elected members Ms O’Kelly outlined why she feels progress is being made.
“The reason that I think this biodiversity work is so strong is that we have very wide representation on the climate action plan. We have representation from right across the different agencies; from National Parks and Wildlife to Fisheries, to local community groups, NGOs, representatives from the PPN. We have a lot of expertise in the room, and people have given a huge amount of time to sit down and figure out what actions need to be in the plan."
The plan contains 50 actions but Ms O’Kelly indicated that number could have been higher.
“Ultimately, we want this to be a plan that we can implement. We want it to be a whole-of-council plan. Even with the best will in the world I am just one person. It is great that we have had role in the Local Authority, but we are going to need to take a collaborative approach, both across all the sections of the council and then also working with other groups.”
“We had quite an extensive public engagement and consultation process, so this mirrored the statutory process that other plans go through, like the County Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan.” she added.
Following a series of questions from councillors present in the chamber, Ms O’Kelly said there are many threats that could derail the plan or stunt future growth.
“We're facing huge societal challenges and I'm not hearing people talking about biodiversity. There is a risk it is going out of fashion a little bit, as it were, which is why I am trying to emphasise it can't.
“So, I think we just need to keep it front and centre in the years ahead.”