Galway City Biodiversity Action Plan 2013-2023 Consultation and Feedback
The local authority is tasked with the preparation of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan as an action
under the National Biodiversity Action Plan, which was adopted in 2002. The purpose of any
Biodiversity Action Plan is to identify sources and compile information on the biodiversity of the
area, to set out a framework with a series of actions to protect these sources, and to raise awareness
of what biodiversity is and why it is so important on a local and global level, and to encourage
involvement in its protection and enhancement. Preparation and implementation of The National
Biodiversity Action Plan is a key provision of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The
CBD was part of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, or 'Earth
Summit', held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in 1992. It is a global binding treaty and the first of its
kind in the world. The Convention's three main goals are: The conservation of biological diversity,
the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from
genetic resources. The Convention is legally binding, so once ratified, there is a legal obligation to
implement its stipulations.
The key aim of the National Biodiversity Action Plan is to protect species and sites designated
under national and international legislation.
Internationally Protected Species Designation:
 EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]
 EU Birds Directive [79/409/EEC as amended 2009/147/EC]
 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Nationally Protected Species Designation:
 Irish Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000
 Whale Fisheries Act 1937
Internationally Protected Site Designation:
 EU Habitats Directive Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
 EU Birds Directive Special Protection Area (SPA)
Nationally Protected Site Designation:
 Irish Wildlife (Amendment) Act Natural Heritage Area
 Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Nature Reserves
The first Galway City Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 - 2013 was drafted in 2007, but due to
changed financial circumstances it was not possible to publish the final Plan at that time. The new
Plan takes into account the changed circumstances and as a result is presented on a ten year basis,
with bi-annual review. It requires significant updates and additions, and therefore a new
consultation process, which was completed in January of this year. the submissions have been
compiled and they are now being assessed for content to be included in the final document.
Since the beginning of November 2012 the public were invited to contribute their views on the
Biodiversity Action Plan through the Galway City Biodiversity website and the attached social
media (Facebook, Twitter) accounts. The website was set up in 2007 to raise awareness of the
preparation of the original Plan and to promote the involvement of the general public by inviting
them to submit their own vision for the future of biodiversity in the City. As the publication of the
final original Plan was postponed, the website was not maintained on a regular basis, though it was
still available to be viewed by the public. It was revised and restored in October 2012 and updated
regularly and social media accounts were set up to promote the site and to link it up with other
environmental and local organisations. The Galway City Biodiversity Facebook page was set up in
November 2012 and to date has 174 subscribers, with on average approximately 5 new subscribers
per week. These people often share updates with their friends, the total of which is over 44,000
(potential total reach). The average weekly total reach of updates is approximately 500 so far, but it
changes from week to week. The current demographics of the page show the main age-group of
subscribers as 25-35 (38.3%). 58.1% of subscribers are female and 38.9% male (3% undisclosed)
and there are a number of international subscribers from the UK, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic,
Belarus, Ethiopia, USA, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Japan. Examples of environmental
organisations' pages that are linked with the Galway City Biodiversity's page include the Irish
Wildlife Trust, Invasive Species Ireland and The Marine Institute, along with smaller local and
national organisations.
The Galway City Biodiversity Twitter page was also set up in November 2012 and currently has
164 followers. Twitter is a much simpler, more straight-forward tool, with an emphasis on ease of
use and virtually immediate as-it-happens information from the people or organisations the user
chooses to follow. Some of the page's high profile followers include popular national wildlife
magazine 'Ireland's Wildlife', BirdWatch Ireland, the international FINS Conference 2013 (being
held in Galway), the European mammal conservation MISE project, Teagasc, Dick Ahlstrom
(science editor of the Irish Times) and ECO-UNESCO.
All of the feedback from the website and social media pages has been positive and the growing
community of followers have been engaging with the content, though appear to have been
somewhat reluctant in submitting recommendations or offering to lead any of the actions.
At the beginning of December letters were sent out to a variety of stakeholders, including
businesses, community and environmental organisations, and relevant individuals, inviting official
submissions to be made to the plan by the end of January. Submissions were received throughout
the designated period from internal and external organisations, a list of which is detailed below.
Submission summaries:
National Biodiversity Data Centre
The centre warmly welcomes the development of the Biodiversity Action Plan and sees it as a very
helpful contribution by the City Council to put in place important measures to protect the valuable
biodiversity resource of the City. To facilitate the provision of biodiversity data for decision making
the Data Centre has developed online biodiversity maps to provide access to available data, which
can be viewed at www.biodiversityireland.ie . The database contains over 2.25 million records from
90 different databases.
The director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Dr Lysaght, has provided us with a list of
663 species which have been recorded within the city boundary.
He encourages the use of their online recording facility for 'citizen scientists' to record observations
to be added to the biodiversity maps. He suggests encouragement of local experts and volunteers to
increase the knowledge of biodiversity in the City as an action for the plan and has offered his
assistance should we wish to pursue his recommendation.
Irish Landscape Institute
The ILI welcomes the Plan, emphasising that the biodiversity of the city is crucially linked to its
landscape and it is imperative that the landscape and its habitats is considered as a whole. They
support the Council's multi-disciplinary approach and recognise that protection and enhancement of
biodiversity is a collaborative process. They suggest that landscape architects with the appropriate
background and experience should be considered for the role of Biodiversity Officer, should they
apply, as landscape architects are qualified in many relevant subjects. They state that input from
landscape architects could be of benefit in any actions that propose the creation of new habitat, open
space resources or green infrastructure. They recommend that the Council consider employing
consultant landscape architects on projects that aim to enhance or maintain biodiversity and that the
Council continue to require landscape proposals and management plans for all projects in a
sensitive landscape context. They have offered their help and cooperation in developing awareness
of biodiversity and the Plan in their members and members of the public should the opportunity
arise.
Galway City Community Forum
The Galway City Community Forum have made the following comments and suggestions:
They recommend:
1. Whilst waiting for the appointment of a Biodiversity Officer, that the duties are designated
to an existing member of staff within the first year of publication of the plan. This member
of staff should set up a working group with City Hall including members from relevant
departments and the group should meet at least twice a year and promote a partnership
approach to conservation in the City.
2. Clarification of the proposal that Biodiversity forum could be formed from the Natural
Environment and Waterways Group.
3. That the Plan have realistic and itemised yearly timescale.
4. That the recommendations of the Galway City Habitat Inventory to be included in the Plan.
5. The development of greenways be a key outcome of the Plan.
6. The protection and rebuilding of dry stone walls.
7. The establishment of Biodiversity awards in the annual Mayoral Awards.
8. The establishment of an annual Galway City Biodiversity festival, perhaps as part of an
existing environmental or heritage festival.
9. That advice and training be provided to residents associations to protect biodiversity in their
localities.
10. A summary of submissions to the Plan be provided to the Recreation, Amenity and Culture
SPC.
Galway Botanic Garden
The Galway Botanic Garden is a new project that plans to provide a large, public garden for
education, conservation and research, displaying all of the native Irish plant species. The aims of the
project are to provide:
1. An amenity to locals and tourists showcasing the west of Ireland's unique habitats, with
natural habitat features, gardens, walkways, a café and parking.
2. Much-needed facilities for plant research, seed propagation and ex-situ conservation of rare
plants.
3. Multi-use spaces for community and educational events.
The vision is similar to that of the Eden Project in the UK, which this project draws strong
inspiration from.
Ryan Institute
Dr Louise Firth from the Ryan Institute at NUIG submitted a proposal for urban coastal habitat
enhancement projects in the Galway City Coastal Zone, including Mutton Island and the new
Galway City Docks. These projects aim to improve biodiversity on new and existing artificial
coastal defence structures. Project 1 is a series of baseline surveys to map the habitats and
biodiversity on both the natural and artificial aspects of the City's coastal zone. Project 2 involves
modifying a number of the concrete units at the Mutton Island causeway to create artificial rock
pools as habitat for marine organisms. Project 3 looks to incorporate habitat enhancements in the
construction phase of the new Galway City Docks development, such as in the breakwater and the
rock revetments. She suggests involving the general public through events like bio blitzes and
through the volunteer and conservation groups in the City.
Inland Fisheries Ireland
The main issues highlighted by the submission from ILI are the threats from alien invasive species
associated with freshwater habitats, such as zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and Japanese
knotweed (Fallopia japonica). They suggest local management plans be implemented for the
control and eradication of these and other harmful alien invasives. For the prevention of the spread
of curly waterweed (Lagarosiphon major), which has been detected in the upper Corrib catchment
area, funding is urgently required to continue their control programme.
It has been brought to their attention that a number of retail outlets in the area have sold alien
invasive aquatic plants to members of the public.
In relation to protected species, they emphasise the requirement for assessment of development
proposals in proximity to SACs and SPAs.
Inland Fisheries Ireland currently run biosecurity and awareness projects, which include protocols
for disinfecting angling equipment, warning signs at all key boat access points, Fisheries Awareness
Week and the 'Something Fishy' educational programme for schools.
Western River Basin District
The Western River Basin District Co-ordinator has made the following recommendations to the
Plan:
1. The Plan should acknowledge the connection between the City and the environs outside the
administrative area and should identify some common actions with the Galway County
Biodiversity Action Plan.
2. The Terryland River must be brought to good status by 2021 under the EU Water
Framework Directive and this should be included as an action in the Plan.
3. The plan should include text to state clearly that the Council supports the IFI in the
Lagarosiphon control programme and it should also be included as a task in action 20
'Develop appropriate strategies for preventing the introduction and spread of invasive alien
species'.
Vincent Wildlife Trust
Kate McAney from the Irish branch of the Vincent Wildlife Trust works to raise awareness of the
threats to Galway's bats and other mammals through projects with Galway Bat Group and NUIG
such as bat walks and field trips. We are lucky to have the rare lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus
hipposideros) living within the City boundaries and it is imperative that we take care to prevent a
loss of connectivity and an increase in artificial illumination of the area in which it has been
recorded. Installing nature information boards at key points around the city would help to educate
and raise awareness about our City's wildlife. Ensuring one aspect of public buildings remains unlit
and that bridge repair work is preceded by a bat survey could help to maintain existing bat
populations. Light pollution around green corridors, such as waterways, and lack of roosting sites
continue to be threats. Lack of roosting sites for other wildlife, such as swifts (Apus apus), the loss
of native and mature trees, the isolation of wildlife through road construction and widening, and the
loss of wetlands are the main threats to Galway City's biodiversity. She suggests the appointment of
a Biodiversity Officer, ensuring good water quality, raising awareness of the link between
environment and human health, retaining habitat connectivity and encouraging citizens to provide
artificial roosts for bats and birds.
Galway Civic Trust – Dúchas na Gaillimhe
Dúchas na Gaillimhe are involved in a number of biodiversity related projects, such as the Tirellan
Community Garden and the Rusheen Bay Birdhide. They believe the most important issues
concerning biodiversity in the City is the retention and maintenance of green spaces and natural
habitats, especially our woodland parks. They Recommend:
1. The immediate appointment of a Biodiversity Officer.
2. Implementation of the recommendations of the Galway City Habitats Inventory.
3. The protection of existing and development of new ecological corridors across the city.
4. The use of the current period of recession to assess future planning issues in relation to the
impact on biodiversity, specifically the threat of road expansion on habitat connectivity.
Current traffic management systems should be examined before introducing plans for
further road development, with consultation from a range of stakeholders from the City and
County.
5. The appointment of a Tree Officer.
6. The development of walk and cycle trails which complements existing habitats.
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Overgrazing, afforestation, peat extraction, illegal dumping and invasive species are the major
threats to peatland biodiversity in Galway City. The IPCC consider Galway to be a priority for
peatland conservation as it includes a number of peatland habitats. There is 71.7 ha of lowland
blanket bog, 6.8 ha of heathland and 33.3 ha of fen and flush habitat. There is also 0.5 ha of
transition mire habitat, which is listed under Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. This was not
mentioned in the Biodiversity Action Plan and it should be a high priority conservation concern.
This new Plan should provide the habitat details for all habitat types within the City in table form
with a map so that the information can be available to and understood by everyone. An extensive
inventory of all habitats, especially wetlands, should be mapped and surveyed. The marsh fritillary
(Euphydryas aurinia), which is endangered and listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive,
may be present within the city boundary and should be surveyed for. The IPCC has offered their
assistance with this, should it be required. The Plan should encourage the public to create and use
compost as a more sustainable alternative to using peat moss and should ban the use of it in public
parks and green spaces. The IPCC welcomes a coordinated approach to greater biodiversity
awareness and recommends that the Plan be as detailed as possible and obtains proper promotion in
the public arena. As peatland conservation is currently quite topical in Galway, they advise that
teaching, learning and training resources explore ecological, economic and cultural functions and
values. They have included a copy of 'Ireland's Peatland Conservation Action Plan 2020' with their
submission.
Grattan Court Residents Association
The Grattan Court Residents Association have an interest in promoting the planting and
maintenance of native trees, shrubs and flowering plants and encouraging participation of residents
and children. They would like to see:
1. The promotion of biodiversity awareness in the City.
2. Participation of citizens in the conservation and management of the City's natural heritage.
3. The maintenance and protection of areas such as city beaches and coastal parks as local
amenity and native wildlife areas.
4. Projects for all ages and abilities.
5. Reduction in pollution and habitat destruction.
6. Promotion of wildlife friendly areas throughout the city.
7. The use of Terryland Forest Park as a demonstration for wildlife planting and promotion.
8. The Development of partnerships between professional bodies, NGOs and residents groups
on biodiversity projects.
9. A list of submission summaries to the Biodiversity Action Plan.
Their main concerns are: Pollution, habitat destruction and lack of biodiversity awareness and
information.
Galway Transportation Unit
The GTU highlighted that a number of their schemes have incorporated and sought to enhance
biodiversity in the City. They believe a biodiversity proofing document to assist the GTU in their
projects would prove very helpful. They would like a stronger working relationship with the
Recreation & Amenity department and would welcome guidance at concept and early development
stage of their future projects, to include quarterly meetings between the GTU and the Recreation &
Amenity department.
Galway City Council Planning Department
The Planning Department welcomes the preparation of the new Biodiversity Action Plan.
They contributed the following comments:
1. The Moycullen Bogs Natural Heritage Area should be mentioned as it is in close proximity
to the City boundary.
2. The common seal (Phoca vitulina) should be featured as an 'Important Species'.
3. The Ardaun Local Area Plan Habitat Assessment report on the existence of the protected
small white orchid (Pseudorchis albida) should be included in the Plan and should be listed
under 'Important Species'.
4. They recommend amendments in the text to remove content that may now be out of date or
that may benefit from more clarity or detail.
5. The obligation of private land owners to protect biodiversity should be emphasised.
Dr. Jim Higgins – Heritage Officer
Dr. Higgins made the following recommendations for the Plan:
1. Enhance retention of important faunal species on/in curtilages of monuments and historical
buildings and garden sites.
2. Encourage taking of pollen cores as an aid to research on the prehistoric landscape.
3. Encourage use and study of historic gardens, some of which are in public ownership.
4. Include drystone walls with hedgerows in Action 3 of the Plan.
5. Encourage study of lichens on archaeological walls and features on gravestones.
6. Encourage study of wildlife and relict plant species associated with archaeological sites.
He also included a copy of 'The Place of Their Resurrection', drawing particular attention to
Siobhán Geraghty's article 'Graveyards: Wildlife and Biodiversity Issues', in which she highlights
the potential role of graveyards as 'islands of biodiversity' in urban or agricultural settings. Part of
the service of a graveyard is to provide a peaceful setting for people to remember their loved ones.
This is greatly enhanced by natural surroundings such as birdsong, wildflowers and trees. She
recommends that biodiversity be an important element in any graveyard management regime.
Summary of Submissions from Individual Citizens
A number of submissions from the general pubilc were received and some of the main concerns are:
Woodland habitat fragmentation due to the construction and widening of roads (with specific
reference to Merlin Woods), illegal tree felling, the threat of invasive species, and pollution of
watercourses and terrestrial habitats, including light, noise and litter.
They would like to see:
1. The establishment of ecological corridors throughout the city.
2. Conservation of existing green spaces, especially woodlands.
3. Promotion of biodiversity awareness and education, especially for young people.
4. The 'greening' of pesticides and herbicides used by the Council and its contractors.
5. Adjustment of grass cutting schemes in public areas to encourage the establishment and
survival of wildflowers.
6. Protection of wild animals in the City, particularly recorded populations of bats and red
squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).
7. The recognition and promotion of the benefits of biodiversity to human health.
In light of the information brought to our attention through the above submissions, the content of
the Plan will be amended and added to. New actions will be created and existing actions will be
amended and/or extended.
Actions to be amended/extended:
Action
Action 6: Biodiversity Awareness: General Public
Objectives
Partners
1,3
NBDC, BWI
Encourage people to log wildlife sightings with the National Biodiversity
Data Centre and Birdwatch Ireland
Offer residents associations advice and training on enhancing biodiversity
in their localities
Action 7: Biodiversity Awareness 2: Council Staff
1,2
Quarterly meetings between the R&A dept. and other relative departments
to promote biodiversity in proposed schemes.
Action 11: Establish a network of Local Biodiversity Areas and
associated wildlife corridors
Adjust grass cutting schemes in public areas to encourage the
establishment and survival of wildflowers.
2
1,2,3
RI, NUIG
1,2,3
VWT, BCI
1,2
WRBD, IFI
Objectives
Partners
1,2,3
IPCC, NPWS,
NUIG, NBDC
2,3
BWI, NISG,
GMIT. VWT
1,2,3
NPWS
3
NPWS, VWT,
NUIG
1,2,3
NPWS
Action 16: Key Zone: Coastal Zone
Biodiversity survey and habitat mapping of coastal zone, including public
awareness campaign.
Habitat enhancement on Mutton Island causeway and proposed new docks.
Action 17: Key Species Group: Bats (Chiroptera spp.)
Ensure public buildings have one aspect unlit to allow bats to roost.
Bridge repair work preceded by bat survey and bat access points
conserved.
Bat box schemes including workshops
Action 20: Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive alien
species
Support the IFI Lagarosiphon and Dreissena control programmes
New Actions:
Action
Key Habitat: Peatlands
Develop habitat management plan for peatlands in the city, including
survey and educational information for landowners.
Survey especially for the protected Marsh Fritillary
Key Species: Common Swift (Apus apus)
Identify and protect existing nesting sites, identify suitable new nesting
sites and install swift nest boxes with simulated calls.
Key Species: Common Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Develop species action plan
Key Species: Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Survey areas with reported sightings, such as Merlin Woods
Key Species: Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
Develop species action plan
Graveyards and Historic sites
2
Incorporate biodiversity in the management aims of graveyards,
monuments and archaeological sites.