Clare County Council has launched the Clare County Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2031, marking another milestone in the county’s commitment to protecting, restoring, and enhancing its unique natural environment.
The launch, held at the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre in the Burren, coincided with World Wildlife Day, highlighting the Local Authority’s commitment to addressing biodiversity loss.
The new six‑year Action Plan sets out 58 targeted actions to tackle key pressures on biodiversity, including habitat loss, fragmentation, invasive species and climate change. It provides a county-wide roadmap for nature recovery and outlines how Clare County Council will embed biodiversity across all areas of its day‑to‑day operations.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Cllr Paul Murphy welcomed the publication of the plan, noting the significance of launching it in the heart of the Burren, an internationally recognised biodiversity landscape.
“The Clare County Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2031 is a clear indication that the people of Clare, supported by Clare County Council, are willing and ready to address the biodiversity challenges we face. Across the county we are already seeing communities, landowners, parishes and volunteers leading inspiring local action for nature, from wetlands initiatives and species projects to parish biodiversity work. Today is a renewed commitment that Clare will lead in biodiversity protection and restoration.”
Partnership is central to the plan and its delivery. It promotes a whole of society approach and collective effort to address nature loss. The biodiversity plan acknowledges the vital role of the Clare Heritage and Biodiversity Forum, businesses, community groups, farmers, landowners, environmental organisations, educational institutions and state agencies in implementing the plan.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council Gordon Daly said, “This Plan is a living framework built on partnership, evidence and action. Biodiversity is the responsibility of us all. Its success requires a whole‑of‑society approach. Through this plan, biodiversity will be integrated into Clare County Council’s policies, planning and operations, guiding our decisions from the earliest stages of project development.”
Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer with Clare County Council highlighted how Clare is world‑renowned for the diversity of habitats and species it supports, with its coastline, wetlands, woodlands, and the iconic Burren all contributing to an exceptional natural heritage.
“Delivering a biodiversity work programme, outlined in the Biodiversity Action Plan, remains a key priority for Clare County Council. Supporting communities, project partners, integrating biodiversity into decision‑making and funding research and data collection is vital to protecting biodiversity and informing new opportunities to strengthen nature recovery,” he said.
He also paid tribute to the support of the Heritage Council, which co‑funds the Biodiversity Officer Programme and contributed to the development of the plan.
Dr Martina Moloney, Chairperson of The Heritage Council, described the Action Plan as “a milestone initiative, representing a vital step in bringing national biodiversity policy to life at the local level, reflecting Clare’s unique landscapes, rich natural and cultural heritage and engaged communities.
“The Local Authority Biodiversity Officer Programme, initiated by The Heritage Council in collaboration with the City and County Management Association, has been instrumental in ensuring that biodiversity becomes a central consideration in local governance.”
Members of the public can view the Clare County Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2031 in its entirety here: https://www.clarecoco.ie/heritage-and-biodiversity/biodiversity