*Quin Tidy Towns Committee with Minister Christopher O’Sullivan. Photograph: Charlotte Cole.
Minister of State, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) arrived in Quin on the 14th of May to launch their latest biodiversity action plan.
Pat O’Brien, chairperson of Quin Village Tidy Towns details the plan, “the Biodiversity Action Plan being launched today and its actions will educate and inform on key topics such as biodiversity awareness, species and habitat management, citizen science, outdoor learning and well-being.”
Minister O’Sullivan promptly states that, “a day like today reminds me that I won the jackpot with this job.”
He not only praises the Quin Tidy Towns but also the effort that the people of County Clare as a whole has put into preserving our biodiversity.
The Minister laughs, “I don’t want to kind of go on about how great Clare is too much as I am a Cork man. But you did start farming for nature. Many of us like, I think Burren was one of the first successful farming for nature efforts and it worked.”
“And in fact, the Burren wouldn’t be the place it was if it wasn’t for farmers and managing the land the way that they managed it.”
He goes on to emphasise that although it may be a small biodiversity action plan in comparison to nation wide action plans, it’s just as important.
“Two weeks ago, we launched the independent advisory committee’s report into recommendations on nature restoration in Ireland. So that’s large scale right across the country. How are we going to bring nature back from the brink on a big scale on our state-owned Land and in private land. But this then this plan, this biodiversity action plan that we’re launching today for Quin is just as important.
I know it’s on a smaller scale, but it proves that yes, the government have to step up to the mark here. We have to be serious about nature restoration. But it starts in the community. I’m so thrilled to see a packed room here today.”
Protecting biodiversity, is clearly at the core of Quin’s Tidy Towns mission.
With three other biodiversity projects also in action, these projects include the Return to Nature Church Biodiversity Project at St Mary’s Church, a bumblebee monitoring scheme and the development of the Árd Chúis Grove Nature and Sensory Garden Trail.
Barry O’Loughlin, the Clare County Council Biodiversity Officer, worked closely with the Quin community to set up these projects and schemes.
He revels in the work and effort that the tidy towns have put into making this all possible, “This plan reflects the strong and positive biodiversity actions undertaken by the people of Quin to enhance biodiversity in their community. This plan will play a vital role in translating actions set out under the County Biodiversity Action Plan, which was launched in March.”
“One of the highlights of my work and work with Quin Tidy Towns has been the collaboration of St. Mary’s Church through the Return to Nature Care Church Biodiversity Project, which is supported by Clare County Council and the local Biodiversity Action Fund. But thanks to the Minister here today and his department for their support in that initiative. Biodiversity work at St. Mary’s Church has transformed the grounds into a wildlife sanctuary while honouring the church’s landslide and spiritual significance and St Mary’s is just one of 23 churches across Clare carrying out biodiversity actions.”
“I knew Quin was serious about biodiversity with all the midges and horseflies descended down upon us at our workshops.”
The launch of this plan was “perfect timing” as the 15th of May marks the beginning of Biodiversity Week.
A week that is thoroughly celebrated in Scoil na Mainistreach, who are working towards their eighth green flag. Catherine, a sixth-class student and a member of the Green Schools Committee told us about how as a school they encourage and stay green.
“At the moment we are working towards our eighth green flag. It is the Global citizenship marine environment. Even though we live inland, during County Clare we have learned that we can still help protect our oceans and sea life. This year we have done lots of fun and interesting activities. We survey children to find out what they know already.”
“We make ocean sea creatures using recycled materials, completed group projects and class buildings that marine Life. We took part initiatives around our village to keep our environment clean. Another activity we have enjoyed was doing a timed insect count in the new biodiversity trail in Architects Grove. It is exciting to see how many insects and living things are sharing our environment with us.”
Quin have plans to only grow these action plans further and continue to increase the biodiversity in the village. The Tidy Towns and the Green Schools Committee allow any age to be able to make an impact in improving their village and its biodiversity.
