Minister O'Sullivan Announces Almost €200k in Funding for Cork Nature Projects

Almost €200,000 has been allocated to ten local nature projects across Cork under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) 2026, with the announcement made during National Biodiversity Week.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, announced the allocation of €193,400 to a range of local authority-led projects in Cork City and Cork County. The fund is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Minister O'Sullivan said:

"This investment in nature projects will have huge impacts for our habitats and wildlife in Cork. I'd like to congratulate Cork City and County Council, who will now be rolling out these initiatives and bringing communities together to enhance nature in their local area.

The impressive range of projects being funded reveals the passion, expertise and ambition in our local authorities to act for nature. Projects in Cork will support restoration of our wetlands, management of meadows to enhance wildflowers and conservation of species such as the Barn Owl. There are practical, hands-on projects too, such as removing invasive species.

I would like to thank all of the community, heritage and environmental groups and landowners for their positive engagement with both local authorities in planning these projects, and the wider network of Biodiversity Officers supporting these projects across the country."

Four projects have been awarded funding in Cork City, covering Himalayan Balsam mapping and removal (€11,200), wildflower meadow enhancement (€48,000), ecological awareness (€16,150), and ecological enhancement (€21,250).

Six projects in Cork County will also receive support, including Barn Owl monitoring and conservation (€2,125), the Bride Valley Invasive Alien Species Management Project (€54,400), the Harper's Island Wetlands Reserve Conservation Management Plan Phase 1 Implementation (€17,000), an amphibian habitat enhancement project at Gallanes Lough in Clonakilty (€5,865), a County Cork Swift Conservation Project (€4,250), and a County Cork Wetlands Survey (€35,700).

The Local Biodiversity Action Fund was originally established in 2018 to assist local authorities in implementing biodiversity actions. With the evaluation phase now complete, local authorities will begin implementation of the funded projects.