Biodiversity and the OPW

Nathy Gilligan, Head of Environment

Peoples’ awareness around Biodiversity loss and the declining environmental condition of the planet is higher than ever. In 2019 Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency. Eightyfive per cent of our protected habitats and thirty per cent of protected species are at risk. Furthermore, research shows that high biodiversity reduces the risk of animal disease outbreaks in humans which is likely linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The OPW is in a privileged position to play a key role in protecting Ireland’s diverse plants and animals. Our organisation operates at many levels with regard to biodiversity; from devising national strategies, setting good practice standards, conducting public outreach and educational programmes, engaging with NGOs, through to a whole range of applied biodiversity enhancement initiatives intertwined with services nationally. Put simply, we are driving the initiative to protect our valuable natural assets. Some examples include:

• Leading development of Ireland’s National Strategy for Plant Conservation, with a series of measures to strengthen conservation of indigenous plants.

• Development of national environmental guidance for river maintenance works, to further reduce potential environmental impacts and maximise ecological gain.

• Community outreach programmes like the Phoenix Park Biodiversity Festival and National Honey Show, to engage people, raise awareness and public education.

• Swift nest site identification with Birdwatch Ireland on historic properties to protect the same during conservation works, such as at Liscarroll Castle, Co. Cork.

• The grounds of the Brú na Bóinne centre Co. Meath are now planted entirely with native plants combined with hazel coppiced to mimic native wattle fences.

• Land management practices to actively encourage traditional wildflower meadows for heritage sites like the Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens, Co. Wicklow.

• Habitat enhancements are integrated into flood defence embankments, for example construction of an artificial badger set at Lough Ree, Co. Westmeath.

• Spawning gravels are reintroduced into suitable drained rivers across the country from Co. Donegal to Co. Wexford, to improve salmon and trout spawning.

• Bat boxes are erected as part of river works, for instance, been integrated with bridge maintenance works in Co. Monaghan, to assist bat conservation.

• A herd of Kerry cattle, graze the meadows in Doneraile Wildlife Park, Co. Cork, as part of an initiative to conserve this rare indigenous breed and enhance the traditional grasslands.

The OPW is at the forefront of Ireland’s efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity, and this includes moving Biodiversity further up the corporate agenda. Our own internal governance structures are being strengthened with the formulation of a new OPW Biodiversity Working Group. This activity is intended to empower staff to increase cross-function working between services in order to maximise the biodiversity gain for the OPW as a whole.

There will clearly be challenges ahead in balancing biodiversity with the need to deliver public services. Population growth is a global pressure. This trend is reflected in Ireland with the National Planning Framework making allowance for an increase of 1.1 million people by 2040. In parallel, more extreme weather patterns and flooding are increasing due to climate change.

A strategic objective under the National Biodiversity Plan, is the mainstreaming of biodiversity in the decision-making process and the OPW is now directly aligned with this government policy going forward.

We are inviting all staff to take part in Biodiversity Week 2021 by participating in a staff conference that highlights how biodiversity plays a role right across the work programme of the OPW. Our multidisciplinary teams engage with biodiversity in a myriad of ways.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is proud to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and showcase the Backweston Campus in Co. Kildare; Conceived twenty years ago, the true value of the Backweston Campus lies in innovation and the OPW’s vision for a sustainable landscape. In this video, Ciaran O’Connor, State Architect and Director of Architectural Services explains how a more sustainable future can be achieved when creative minds combine, the Backweston campus in Co Kildare includes features that are beneficial to the natural world while offering thoughtfully designed spaces that enhance the wellbeing of the staff who work there. Ecology and human-centred design go hand-in-hand in this unique setting. https://youtu.be/aKhYvb5qnzI