Sustainability – Biodiversity

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BIODIVERSITY IN ACTION

Sustainability collection highlighting content that relates to protection of our natural world and human life.

BIODIVERSITY IN ACTION

Sustainability collection highlighting content that relates to protection of our natural world and human life.

<p>Senate heard about a farmer who has yet to receive a reply from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to his application in August for controlled burning permission. File picture</p>

farming

Senators call on ministers to unblock burn permits to farmers

Senator Eileen Lynch, Cork North-West, said controlled burning, when carried out responsibly and at the correct time of year, is a well-established land management practice

<p>(Left to right) Barry O’Loughlin, biodiversity officer at Clare County Council, Sinead McDonnell, biodiversity officer at Limerick City and County Council and Eleanor Turner, biodiversity officer with Kerry County Council. Picture: Alan Place</p>

munster

Interactive map showcases Shannon Estuary's wildlife and how to best protect it

Michael Moynihan

SMichael Moynihan: Council responses show they can't see the wood for the trees

Asian hornet from Catalonian Garden - Berga

munster

'Cork is a mecca for Asian hornets', beekeepers warn

Lady's View in Killarney National Park of Ireland - shadows of clouds move on mountains and lakes

farming

Majority of Ireland’s protected habitats still in decline

Scenic green valley and colourful rhododendron bushes in the Vee, Knockmealdown Mountains, Ireland.

comment-analysis

Habitats report a stark contrast to nitrates decision

Extension of Ireland's derogation 'not a free pass' for farmers, says Michael McGrath

Extension of Ireland's derogation 'not a free pass' for farmers, says Michael McGrath

Under the derogation, Irish farmers are allowed to spread more nitrates, including slurry, on their land than other EU farmers

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

A field of red clover in Derbyshire, UK.

Department starts payments for 2025 multi-species and red clover silage measures

Farmers who have applied and are eligible under the multi-species sward and red clover silage measures will begin to receive payments for their 2025 crop.

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Teagasc opens new research and innovation centre at Johnstown Castle

Teagasc opens new research and innovation centre at Johnstown Castle

The new laboratories at NASRIC will further support research in water quality, soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon farming, nutrient efficiency and farmland biodiversity

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Fota Wildlife Park needs your help to keep animals thriving after the bird flu outbreak

Fota Wildlife Park needs your help to keep animals thriving after the bird flu outbreak

Although we faced losses in the initial outbreak, we can confirm that our remaining bird population is currently testing negative for avian influenza, writes Aileen Tennant, director at Fota Wildlife Park

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Draining sewage from pipe into river, pollution rivers and ecology.

Mick Clifford: Our rivers are not the only places to have been polluted under the IFI

It seems there has been a complete disregard for the protection of rivers and lakes under Inland Fisheries Ireland, writes Mick Clifford

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Asian hornet from Catalonian Garden - Berga

Climate change making Ireland more hospitable to invasive species, experts warn

The Climate Council has warned Ireland is “falling far short” of its international conservation commitments, with an estimated annual biodiversity investment gap of €700m.

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Cork fish kill: No culprit for the worst environmental disaster in Ireland this century

Cork fish kill: No culprit for the worst environmental disaster in Ireland this century

A multi-agency investigation failed to find the source of, or even identify, the toxins that killed nearly 40,000 fish in the Blackwater River recently

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Biodiversity experts plan for arrival of invasive species amid rise in temperatures

Biodiversity experts plan for arrival of invasive species amid rise in temperatures

A risk register of the chances of non-native species arriving here will be developed

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

Woman listening music with her mobile phone in first snow

Local radio stations ask young listeners to help them record sounds of nature in Ireland

16 local radio stations will consult with schools and youth groups on the collaboration with climate scientists at Harvard and Copenhagen universities

Sun, 31 Aug, 2025

What is the Asian hornet and should we be worried after one was found in Cork?

What is the Asian hornet and should we be worried after one was found in Cork?

First Cork sighting of invasive Asian hornet highlights risks to Irish honeybees and the need for public vigilance

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Working with landowners to protect and restore Ireland's rivers

Working with landowners to protect and restore Ireland's rivers

The EU Waters of LIFE project aims to reverse the decline of Ireland's most pristine rivers

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Proposal aims to turn land left over from Cork road scheme into native woodland

Proposal aims to turn land left over from Cork road scheme into native woodland

The land donated to Nature Trust for planting with the type of trees and forest that once covered Ireland would also have public walking trails

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

'It makes us look like barbarians': No prosecution after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry

'It makes us look like barbarians': No prosecution after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry

There have been three cases of white-tailed eagles being poisoned and killed in 2025 so far despite the bird species being protected under the Wildlife Act

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Asian hornet spotted in Cork City sparks biosecurity alert for Ireland

Asian hornet spotted in Cork City sparks biosecurity alert for Ireland

The sighting in Cork is just the second-ever verified sighting of an Asian hornet in Ireland

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

Four white-tailed sea eagles to be released in Killarney National Park in final year of programme

Four white-tailed sea eagles to be released in Killarney National Park in final year of programme

A total of 245 chicks have been re-introduced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Norwegian partners since 2007

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

litter washed up on a beach in county cork, ireland.

A global treaty to limit plastic pollution is within reach — will countries seize the moment?

Representatives from 175 countries will convene in Geneva next month for crucial negotiations on a UN treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Ireland

Pádraic Fogarty: U-turn shows Government is unwilling to protect Ireland's sea creatures

Micheál Martin's government has paid lip service to establishing new marine protected areas but the recent backflip on the bill and his government's failure to legislate to exclude large trawlers from coastal waters has increased the public's frustration

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Main dispute over Skellig Michael boat trips resolved

Main dispute over Skellig Michael boat trips resolved

The case had been brought by two unsuccessful bidders for the landing permits issued by the OPW for mid-May to September

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report

‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report

Researchers say urgent conservation efforts will be needed to mitigate the ‘shocking statistic’ that threatens to unravel ecosystems

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Suspected poisoning of white-tailed eagle prompts call for public vigilance

Suspected poisoning of white-tailed eagle prompts call for public vigilance

Caimin was one of the first chicks to be released from Killarney National Park in 2008

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Senator calls for Defence Forces to tackle wildfires

Senator calls for Defence Forces to tackle wildfires

Discarding a cigarette or dumping barbeque coals in national parks and nature reserves, coastal sand dunes, mountains and upland areas, forests, meadows and urban parks can have devastating impact

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

LNG tanker is passing by Singapore Strait.

Ciarán Brennan: Government is letting bills mount up rather than deal with climate change

Ireland faces an eye-watering €26bn bill for missing EU climate targets but the Government is prioritising short-term economic growth over environmental protections

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Cork GAA club plants more than 120 trees in city-wide climate and biodiversity initiative

Cork GAA club plants more than 120 trees in city-wide climate and biodiversity initiative

St Vincent’s GAA Club joins Cork’s climate action by planting trees and upgrading lighting to support a greener future

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

White-tailed eagle shooting condemned

White-tailed eagle shooting condemned

Working together, the NPWS, Regional Veterinary Laboratories (DAFM), and the State Laboratory introduced a formal protocol for investigating Irish bird of prey deaths in 2011

Fri, 31 Jan, 2025

Irish cabinet

Cork's three new junior ministers lay out their portfolio priorities

Fianna Fáil's Michael Moynihan and Christopher O'Sullivan, and Fine Gael's Jerry Buttimer taking up new roles as Ministers of State

Thu, 30 Jan, 2025