The National Biodiversity Data Centre is delighted to launch a new guideline document for community groups who wish to produce a Community Biodiversity Action Plan for their local area. Community groups around the country are producing Community Biodiversity Action Plans to guide their biodiversity actions over 3-5 years. Almost 300 action plans have now been published on the dedicated portal, actionforbiodiversity.ie.
The aim of this new publication is to provide guidance to community groups new to working in this area by offering a simple 7-step approach to producing a plan. Steps include forming a team to working with an ecologist and choosing appropriate actions. The booklet includes an introduction to biodiversity, why it is important, and why producing an action plan is of benefit to communities.
Finally, the appendices include an overview of the type of biodiversity actions a group can choose from, whether they want to focus on pollinators, bats or birds. There is also a useful list of possible funding streams for community groups. The booklet was written by Juanita Browne, with assistance from Úna FitzPatrick.
This 36-page publication is available to download from the national portal for biodiversity action plans: www.actionforbiodiversity.ie and www.biodiversityireland.ie.
