Wildlife pond and bat roost 'house' planned for Edenderry

A new local biodiversity project which has just been awarded Government funding is set to include the development of a wildlife pond and a bat roost 'house' in the Blundell area of Edenderry town.

Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, this week confirmed details of funding allocations being made to local sports partnerships across the country for biodiversity measures associated with sports facilities under the Participation Nation Outdoor Fund.

Total funding of almost €740,000 is being made available to 30 Local Sports Partnerships to support nature connected projects at sports facilities that are open to community use.

In Offaly, €15,000 is being provided to the county's sports partnership for the "enhancement of biodiversity" in the Blundell area of Edenderry.

This project is due to see "the creation of a small hazel plantation, a 20m x 10m wildlife pond, a wildlife pollinator bank, and the installation of a bat roost 'house'."

Commenting on the funding allocations, Minister Martin said: "I am encouraged by the range of biodversity projects which the local sports partnerships and Sport Ireland have brought forward.

"As we move forward with the Climate Action plan and the National Biodiversity Action Plan it is important that we take all available opportunities to improve the biodiversity of our surroundings.

"This initiative is a good example of how we can seek to improve and enhance our natural environment when investing in other projects.

"These allocations will see the development of a wide range of biodiversity measures which will enhance our environment including wildlife ponds, habitats for birds, bats and pollinators, community orchards and rain gardens.

"I know that communities will enjoy the use of outdoor sport equipment while also appreciating the surrounding natural environment," said the Minister.