Banner image of Sparrowhawk in The Grove by Gustavo Zoldaz

New funding is very welcomed to support The Grove's Biodiversity Action Plan recommendations. Rebecca Jeffares (Hon Sec) of Dun Laoghaire Local Association shares her statement below on behalf of the group. Efforts to protect and support local wildlife, plants and nature are receiving a boost with the confirmation of grant support for An Taisce's Dun Laoghaire Local Association with this support coming from Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

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Our community group is delighted to move forward on the important work of habitat enhancement for The Grove site, also known as Morehampton Road Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a small but vital reservoir of urban biodiversity located on Morehampton Road and Wellington Place in Dublin’s Donnybrook area. 

Rebecca Jeffares welcomed this support from the Community Foundation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on behalf of Taisce Dun Laoghaire Local Association: “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded this vital funding. It will help us create an even more valuable urban habitat by moving forward on the recommendations in our Biodiversity Action Plan for the historic 'Grove' site.”

Community projects, such as this, can really help to support more local environmental knowledge and connections. It also helps to create a greater tapestry of urban habitat corridors, while incorporating some of the vital mitigations needed for us to face the climate crisis.

The Grove acts as an important carbon store due to its mature trees. The trees also help remove air pollution generated by heavy local traffic. The Nature Restoration Law underlines the vital importance of urban ecosystems. Healthy, biodiverse green spaces reduce heat island effects and support climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Congratulating the local project, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:

“We all know nature is in crisis. Once familiar bird songs, the fleeting sight of a passing animal and even our creepy crawlies and native plants are disappearing. Local actions are key to addressing this. Since partnering with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2019, we are now working with 300 communities on local biodiversity action plans. 

This unique partnership not only brings together the Foundation’s private philanthropic funds with public money, but it also partners communities with the insights and skills of expert ecologists. I look forward to hearing about the success of the work ahead.” 

Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service added:

“This partnership between NPWS and Community Foundation Ireland supports action for nature at the local level. We welcome the increasing focus on citizen science, community outreach and engagement with schools, all of which are key to addressing the biodiversity crisis.”

This year’s grants are supported by philanthropic funding from Community Foundation Ireland and its donors, including a major contribution from the Sunflower Charitable Foundation, along with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for The Grove can be found on the National Biodiversity Data Centre's BAP portal.