Wicklow water and biodiversity projects awarded €30,000 in funding

The largest single investment has been awarded to ReWild Wicklow for riverbank stabilisation and riparian tree nursery expansion, for the amount of €11,500, Enniskerry Tidy Towns was granted €4,428 for an Invasive Species Survey of Glencullen River, while almost €3,000 has been awarded to projects in the Greystones Municipal District.

Cllr Stephen Stokes, Cathaoirleach of the Greystones Municipal District, welcomed the funding for Greystones, which included €2,000 for the Kilcoole Biodiversity Project.

"The money awarded to the Greystones District is evenly distributed to Newcastle Residents Association, Greystones Tidy Towns and Kilcoole Biodiversity Group / Keep Kilcoole Tidy,” he said. “I would like to thank these organisations for their continued hard work in the community."

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), is working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality. It has awarded funding to 155 projects in 26 counties under the Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2024.

Under the fund, local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

Cllr Stokes concluded: "This funding is a vote of confidence in local projects. I will continue to support efforts to enhance biodiversity and water quality in Charlesland, Delgany, Greystones, Kilcoole, Killadreenan and Newcastle."

Meanwhile, The 80 Max Tree Festival took place on Saturday, March 23 at Belmont Demesne in Greystones, where there were live performances and a tree-planting ceremony to highlight the local campaign to reduce speed limits down to 80km per hour in order to cut emissions.

"It was an enjoyable occasion that marked the emerging spring season,” Cllr Stokes, who was among the attendees, remarked. “It was nice to see new trees being distributed for planting. It is important to support any activities that enhance our environment."

There were a number of activities on offer to attendees including archery lessons, puppet making, willow weaving, upcycling sewing demonstrations and more. Over 3000 tress were given away. On the day there was a strong turnout from North Wicklow residents, and those from further afield. More information can be found on the campaign at 80max.ie.

"We have a great sense of community in the Greystones Municipal District. It was great to see such a strong turnout," Cllr Stokes concluded.