Page 21 - Council Journal Autumn 2019

• A framework outlining options with the flexibility to choose from a variety of low/cost- neutral evidence-based actions that will have a positive impact.
FEATURE Biodiversity
Dandelions provide important food for bees in early spring. Road verges can be managed for pollinators through simply tweaking maintenance, for instance by not cutting Dandelions until they begin to set seed.
The one action that would have the greatest impact for pollinators and other biodiversity in this country is to retain native hedgerows and manage hedgerows so that they flower in spring to provide food for pollinators. This means not cutting or flailing annually into a neat box shape, but instead cutting on a 3-yearly cycle and allowing them to grow in an A-shape. Good hedgerows also provide shelter for nesting and overwintering, and act as corridors that help pollinators and other wildlife move through the landscape. While roadside hedges may need to be cut for health and safety reasons, those around parks, gardens and estates that are allowed to flower in spring will also fruit in autumn, providing food for birds and mammals.
National Biodiversity Data Centre Trinity College Dublin
Butterfly Conservation NI
DOE Environmental Policy Division Local Authorities: Fingal County Council Teagasc
• Access to training, guidance documents, support materials, case studies, etc. to help staff decide on appropriate actions. For more information, see: https://pollinators.ie/councils
• Helps demonstrate compliance with statutory requirements such as the Council’s Biodiversity statutory responsibilities.
A pollinator-friendly roundabout in Co. Kildare
• Enhancing the local landscape for pollinators supports local food producers
• A framework to help support the delivery of key plans:
– National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 (Action 4.1.8. Implement All-Ireland Pollinator Plan)
– Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020
– County Development Plan (protecting natural habitats and plants objectives)
Pollinator-friendly perennial planting in Co. Waterford
Pollinator-friendly annual planting in Co. Limerick. Traditional bedding plants
– Green Infrastructure Plan (protecting and managing natural wildlife corridors and habitats)
– Climate Change Adaptation Measures (resilience to climate change)
– Local Biodiversity Action Plan – County Biodiversity Plan (pollinator actions)
are not pollinator-friendly by can be improved by mixing in plants like Bidens.
– EU Habitats Directive (ecological networks and buffer areas)
Pollinator Plan Steering Group
• A demonstration of your biodiversity credentials to local residents who are increasingly concerned with supporting environmentally friendly initiatives.
Dr Úna Fitzpatrick (chair) Dr Jane Stout (deputy chair) Ms Catherine Bertrand
Mr Ken Bradley
Dr Gerry Clabby
Ms Catherine Keena
Dr Damian McFerran
• Actions to support community engagement and strengthen relationships with local groups who are also working to protect our pollinators, e.g. Tidy Towns groups, Ulster in Bloom.
Dr John McMullan Dr Archie Murchie Dr Tomás Murray Dr Brian Nelson
Dr Vincent O’Malley Ms Melina Quinn
Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR)
Honeybee expert
Agri-Food and Biosciences NI
National Biodiversity Data Centre National Parks and Wildlife Service Transport Infrastructure Ireland Northern Ireland Environment Agency Limerick’s Buzzing
• Actions to support Local Agenda 21
• Actions to support the Green Schools Programme (Biodiversity Theme) (ROI) and Eco-Schools (NI
Dr Veronica Santorum Mr Jerome Walsh
• Actions taken for pollinators can contribute to the Green Flag Award for parks under the sustainability, conservation and community involvement criteria
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Council Journal 21
Visit www.pollinators.ie to find out more about how your Council can get involved.
The Pollinator Plan was developed by the steering group and published by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.