The announcement was made by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan as he visited Clara Bog, Co. Offaly as part of National Biodiversity Week<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scheme aims to encourage local communities, organisations, educational institutions and other stakeholders to actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sites and peatland areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The overarching goal of the Natura 2000 network is to safeguard Europe’s most precious and endangered species and habitats, as delineated by both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Member states bear the responsibility of preserving these sites and ensuring their sustainable management, encompassing both ecological and economic considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Peatlands act as the primary reservoir of carbon in the Irish landscape and hold a pivotal role in Ireland’s endeavours to combat climate change. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n “The restoration of peatlands yields significant ancillary benefits, such as enhanced biodiversity, augmented natural capital, improved water quality and flood mitigation,” according to the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking from Clara, Minister Noonan said the scheme “reaffirms our collective commitment to empowering local communities and fostering a deeper connection with our natural heritage”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Through collaborative efforts, we can safeguard our precious ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come,” the minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This is a programme that looks to build on that significant individual and community engagement with nature, and to resource new and frontier areas in that arena,” NPWS director general, Niall \u00d3 Donnch\u00fa added.<\/p>\n\n\n Natura 2000<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Peatlands scheme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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