Some 30 bat, bird and bee boxes are being erected in the surrounding lands of the Shannon Campus, to lend a hand to nature.
Details
The nest boxes are part of the Shannon Airport Group’s new biodiversity action plan (BAP), which was launched by environmentalist and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna.
The boxes will be located at the group’s community biodiversity garden, in woodlands and other areas of suitable habitat across the campus.
The launch of the plan took place in the group’s community biodiversity garden in Shannon, where students from St John’s National School participated in an educational workshop on flora and fauna delivered by Ní Lamhna and guest speaker Philip Brennan, the Shannon Airport ornithologist. Also in attendance were local community groups, including Shannon Tidy Towns, Shannon Town Wetlands, and the Men’s Shed.
The BAP, which is a key initiative of the group’s sustainability strategy, aims to gather data of the biodiversity present across the group’s lands and to protect and conserve it using the most appropriate and eco-friendly methods available.
It outlines a number of actions, including a ‘low mow’ regime, pollinator-friendly planting, woodland enhancement, monitoring habitat transition, and education, outreach and engagement.
Statements
Sinéad Murphy, head of sustainability at the Shannon Airport Group, said, “We are proud to launch our biodiversity action plan and take those necessary steps in the conservation and protection of our environment.
“Our mission for this plan is to become a biodiversity-friendly airport and business campus. We aim to protect, conserve and enhance the valuable habitats and species present across the Shannon Airport Group lands.
“This includes not only the EU Natura 2000 sites, designated as a Special Area of Conservation – SAC – and Special Protection Area – SPA – and the nationally important proposed Natural Heritage Area – pNHA – but also the undesignated sites, which exist within the airport lands and commercial properties.”
Launching the biodiversity action plan, Ní Lamhna commented, “It is really great to be here today with the Shannon Airport Group staff, community members, and pupils from St John’s National School, to launch the group’s biodiversity action plan. We all have a part to play. The simplest of environmental management changes can bring huge improvement in biodiversity. Here on the Shannon Campus, there is already the return of marsh orchids and bee orchids, thanks to a low-mow regime. It will get better and better as the action plan is further rolled out.”
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