Public Consultation

Longford Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2029

Longford County Council is undergoing pre-draft public consultation to create the Longford Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2029. We are looking for your ideas and opinions to help inform this plan, including any opportunities, threats and issues for local biodiversity that you can identify and share with us. 

Under the fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan, every local authority in Ireland must have a Local Biodiversity Action Plan by the end of 2026.

The Importance of Biodiversity

In 2019, Ireland declared a biodiversity emergency due to the declining numbers of many species and habitats. This includes a decline in more than 50% of our 101 bee species, a decline in over 50% of Irish plant species and 30% of Irish EU-protected sites are at risk. Biodiversity is important for many reasons, including improving crop pollination, preventing flooding, cleaning our air and water, nutrient recycling, medicine development and helping to reduce pollution. 

Threats to Biodiversity

Extinction rates are increasing with over 25% of species now at threat of extinction. Both locally and globally, biodiversity is facing many threats, including habitat loss and degradation, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and biological invasions from invasive species. 

How to Make a Submission

There are several ways to make a submission: in person, via a survey, by post and by email. Submissions must be made before Friday, 23 August 2024.

To help you in making your submission, you can read this discussion paper.

In-person at the following drop-in public consultation days with the Council's Biodiversity Office where you will be able to discuss biodiversity, action plans and your own concerns:

  • Ballymahon Library on Tuesday, 23 July from 10am to 4.30pm
  • Longford Library on Thursday, 25 July from 10am to 4.30pm
  • Edegeworthstown Library on Tuesday, 30 July from 10am to 4.30pm
  • Granard Library on Thursday, 1 August from 10am to 4.30pm

By survey and sending your completed survey to the below postal address or by email to amulvihill@longfordcoco.ie

By post
Send your ideas to:
Biodiversity Officer,
Longford County Council,
2 Church Street,
Longford
N39 W1X7

By email to
Longford County Council Biodiversity Office to amulvihill@longfordcoco.ie