Kerry will soon have a new biodiversity officer, with Kerry County Council one of 10 local authorities to be awarded funding to appoint a person to deliver and drive local action for biodiversity.
The programme is being delivered by the Heritage Council and the County and City Management Association with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The new biodiversity officers will have a wide variety of responsibilities including the development and implementation of a county biodiversity plan, advising the local authority on biodiversity related issues and obligations in relation to protecting biodiversity ans the establishment of a county biodiversity forum.
The officer will also assist local authority departments in integrating biodiversity into their actions and policies through training and supporting information dissemination and promote new biodiversity initiatives based on best conservation practice
Kerry County Council CEO, Moira Murrell, who is also chair of the CCMA Rural Development, Community, Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee, said the expertise biodiversity officers bring will significantly strengthen local authority efforts to protect and encourage appreciation of biodiversity.
“This resource focus indicates the seriousness with which we take the biodiversity challenge and our ambition to integrate biodiversity considerations across all of our operations,” she said.
“Addressing biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems and employing nature-based solutions will also form important elements in our climate action plans, Ms Murrell.
Cleo Murphy of the Green Party in Kerry he creation of a biodiversity officer post in Kerry is being warmly welcomed by the local branch of the Green Party said it is wonderful to see Kerry receiving funding for the post.
“Given the rich natural heritage of the county we need to have an official in Kerry County Council overseeing the protection of that heritage. Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan has taken a keen interest in Kerry since he was appointed and we’re delighted he has prioritised Kerry in this move,” she stated.
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