Well-known environmentalist Duncan Stewart will launch a new Biodiversity Plan for Carndonagh 2021 – 2026.
The work was created by ECO Carn, a collaborative network formed in 2019 following Inishowen Development Partnerships “EnVision” series, and a funded by The Community Foundation for Ireland, who are supporting communities across Ireland to develop community biodiversity action plans.
Dr. Trish Murphy, from local environmental charity Inishowen Rivers Trust managed an ecological audit of six areas in Carndonagh in collaboration with ecologist Aengus Kennedy, NatureNorthWest and prepared recommendations for future actions based on the findings of the surveys. Administration support for the process was provided by Carn Social Enterprise, Spraoi agus Spórt, and managed by the ECO Carn network.
To officially launch the plan, the network is delighted to welcome award-winning architect, environmentalist & film producer/presenter and a familiar face to all, as presenter of RTE’s ‘Eco Eye’ and ‘About the House, Duncan Stewart, as their special guest speaker at the outdoor event at 11AM on Monday, October 18th, at Barrack Hill Town Park. Book now at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/eco-carn-launch-tickets-183425930897
IDP Project Officer, Denise McCool, says “we are delighted to welcome Duncan to Carndonagh, and have a jam packed and exciting morning planned for all the community! This project is about building community awareness of the importance that Biodiversity plays, the huge impact of biodiversity loss, and the need to protect the environment and play our part in addressing climate change. We believe that by starting local, everyone can play their small part in contributing to a bigger global Biodiversity action plan”.
In addition to launching the plan, six local primary schools in Carndonagh will join Duncan in planting Gaisce #BulbsForBees pollinator-friendly bulbs in the park, along with the Barrack Hill Community Garden members. Students from Carndonagh Community School (CCS) were also involved in designing the ECO Carn logo and been an active member of the Eco Carn Group. “
The programme is cross curricular in nature and contributes to many of the subjects and programmes that we run in the school such as CSPE, SPHE, Well-being, Agricultural Science, Science and the JCSP and TY programmes. It allows students to have hands on experience of things that wouldn’t be available in a classroom setting. CCS is proud to be a member and looks forward to the continued partnerships we have established through our involvement,” says Martina McCole CCS staff member on the committee.
The Barrack Hill Town Park and Community Gardens are very excited about the BAP launch as “it is the culmination of two year’s work. Our groups have been working to protect and extend the natural biodiversity of our wonderful community resource in the park but now we will have a blueprint to follow designed by Aengus Kennedy and Trish Murphy, two inspirational environmentalists. The park is an oasis of peace and healing where visitors can be immersed in nature and benefit from its calming influence and we want to preserve this for future generations. This is our way of counteracting climate change,” says Carmel Doherty.
The key recommendations from this report are to connect species-rich sites, creating natural corridors for biodiversity and communicate the actions of this plan, creating awareness and understanding in the wider community. This will be implemented in forty-three general actions, proposed across seven recommended themes plus an additional 102 measures across the six audited areas. Some examples include invasive species management, hedgerow maintenance and restoration, wetland and pond creation, ‘No Mow’ periods, sensitive development of future trails and paths and a coordinated programme of informing and involving the whole community.
The Colgan Hall, member of the Eco Carn Network stated “After all the hard work and planning we are very excited to see the launch of the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Carndonagh! It’s really been a fantastic learning curve, and we are using that learning to inform and adapt our practices at the Hall. Being part of this vibrant and hardworking group has been a wonderful opportunity to network, work alongside and meet with other committed and inspirational organisations and individuals. The BAP, and its implementation, is a very valuable opportunity for our town, community and indeed the whole of the Inishowen peninsula. The positive impacts will be enjoyed for many generations to come.”
The data gathered has been forwarded to the National Biodiversity Centre as part of this work. The ECO Carn Biodiversity Action Plan will be downloadable from its network member websites.
Shauna McClenaghan Joint CEO, IDP adds, “ECO Carn is one of the first initiatives to come to fruition from our EnVision series. Carndonagh is an innovative community, who care about their local natural environment and want to protect it for future generations to come. This is evident in the high number of members in the ECO Carn network who are all willing to play their part in realising the recommendations from the plan. I commend the great work that the ECO Carn network has already carried out. IDP, as part of our strategic plan, looks forward to being with them every step of the way as they roll out the remaining actions included in the plan that will benefit all of the Inishowen Peninsula.”
Please note booking is required for this outdoor event. 11am at Barrack Hill Town Park.
EVENTBRITE LINK: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/eco-carn-launch-tickets-183425930897
ECO Carn Members are: Spraoi & Sport, Barrack Hill Community Garden, Barrack Hill Town Park Carn GAA, Carn Tidy Town, Carndonagh Scouts, Donegal County Council, Inishowen Environmental Group, Carndonagh Community School, Colgan Hall, Colgan Heritage Group, Carn Men’s Shed, Forest of Carndonagh, Inishowen Development Partnership and the local primary schools.
To find out more about ECO Carn check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Eco-Carn or contact Denise or Rachel at IDP denise@inishowen.ie / rachel@inishowen.ie . You can also contact Inishowen Rivers Trust via their social media links. The IDP EnVision Report can be downloaded from www.inishowen.ie/publications.
