Cork City's Biodiversity Action Plan - The Heritage Council

Cork City’s Biodiversity Action PlanDid you know?The HeritageCouncil’s BiodiversityWatch Project(www.heritagecouncil.ie)allows you to entersightings of the plants andanimals you see in yourlocal environment -perhaps in a local park orwoodland or seashorePreparation of the Cork City Biodiversity Action PlanThe production of the Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan is a first for the City and apartnership approach has been adopted throughout its development.Initially, the Heritage Council in association with Cork City Council commissioned a consultantecologist to undertake a body of work in the preparation of the plan (consultation, informationreview and preparation of report). This work was undertaken in accordance with publishedguidelines and guidance from the Heritage Council.A Biodiversity Working Group was established by Cork City Council. This group consists ofrepresentatives from local government, government departments and agencies, academicinstitutions, environmental non-governmental organisations, local development organisationsand local interest groups (See Appendix 2). The first meeting of the Biodiversity WorkingGroup provided an opportunity for these different agencies and organisations to discuss topicsand issues relating to the biodiversity of Cork City. The group initially identified action areasand met again later in the process to finalise and agree actions to be included in the plan andthus implemented over the next 5 years.Public consultation was an important part of developing the Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan.Submissions were initially invited through the circulation of a ‘biodiversity questionnaire’ tovarious local organisations, individuals and interest groups and all interested parties wereencouraged to express their views and opinions. Following the review of the draft plan by theCity Council and Biodiversity Working Group, the plan also entered a period of publicconsultation and further submissions and comments were invited from the public.Final amendments to the plan were discussed and agreed with the Biodiversity Working Groupand the plan was submitted to the City Council for ratification and adoption.The Biodiversity Action Plan was prepared with due consideration of the National BiodiversityPlan, the City Development Plan 2004-2009, the Cork City Heritage Plan 2007-2012, andother relevant local and national policies and legislation.Building Biodiversity PartnershipsThe Local Biodiversity Action Plan process highlights the fact that everyone has an interestand a stake in their local biodiversity.The implementation of the actions contained in thisdocument, through cooperation, partnership and close communication, will therefore requireinput from all sections of society.It is therefore essential to the success of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan process thatpartnerships are forged between national and local government, government agencies,business, educational institutions, the voluntary sector and many more. The relationshipbetween Cork City Council and Cork County Council is also of paramount importance.The Biodiversity Action Plan acknowledges the very important ongoing work being carried outby the many organisations, community groups and individuals who are involved in biodiversityrelatedprojects and who promote a better understanding of nature and biodiversity in the city.It is hoped that the Biodiversity Plan will add value to, support and encourage this veryimportant work already being carried out throughout the city. The Biodiversity Action Plansupports working in partnership with these organisations in order to help implement this plan.The ultimate success of the plan depends on shared ownership by all partner organisationsand their long-term commitment to its implementation.Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-2014Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) on quay walls15