The newly published Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2008-2012, the first of its kind in Ireland, will provide for the conservation of all natural habitats throughout the city, according to the Lord Mayor, Paddy Burke.

The Plan proposes to develop much stricter planning conditions for proposed developments in sensitive areas, such as the vicinity around Dublin Bay. It also seeks to develop a management plan for Dublin Bay area and the protection of its ecology, although has yet to be completed.

The Plan aims to identify and protect local biodiversity hotspots and create a series of ‘wildlife corridors’ throughout the city. These will allow wildlife to live freely in their protected areas.

According to the Council, biodiversity will form a central part of all future planning initiatives, including developing policies to protect habitats such as wetlands, semi-natural grasslands and its species.
“The Plan aims to help citizens, business people and policy makers understand and recognize the biodiversity that we have in the hope that they will then contribute towards its protection,” says Mairead Stack, Dublin City Council’s Biodiversity Officer.

“Biodiversity is vital to our existence; it provides us with food, clean air and fresh water", she continued.

This plan is a reminder of how delicate the nature around us is and how much we need to do to ensure its survival,” declared Cllr Paddy Bourke, Lord Mayor of Dublin.