Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

179 Chapter 7: Nature 5. Current action on nature 14 www.nationalparks.ie/ (accessed 4 April 2024). 15 www.discoverboynevalley.ie/new-national-park-boyne-valley (accessed 4 April 2024). 16 www.nationalparks.ie/kerry-seas/ (accessed 24 April 2024). Clearly, the production of biodiversity actions plans, whether by businesses or on a local, regional, national or international governance level, is a positive step for nature restoration and promotes biodiversity protection. However, action plans must have clear targets and tangible ways of measuring success to evaluate the current state, and change in state, of verifiable data that relate to biodiversity (NBDC, 2021a). In other words, it is important that we start and continue to measure and assess the state of biodiversity. This process should involve the measurement of indicators for appropriate data relating to biodiversity. This includes direct metrics, such as the number of endangered species and habitats, and indirect metrics, such as the number of biodiversity-related policies implemented (NBDC, 2021a), and will provide evidence-based results for reporting on biodiversity change and conservation action and informing conservation policy at national and European levels. Evidence of tangible action and associated outcomes in relation to biodiversity is slowly becoming more evident in Ireland. A review of the third iteration of the National Biodiversity Action Plan for the period 2017-2021 (BWG, 2023) highlighted progress in implementing actions, aiding a shift in public opinion towards a greater appreciation of biodiversity. For example, efforts to mainstream biodiversity into decision-making and improve expert knowledge of biodiversity across government were deemed successful, and several programmes are ongoing. Large sectoral achievements included the restoration or rehabilitation of 25,000 ha of peatland habitat by Bord na Móna (BWG, 2023) and the publication of Ireland’s river basin management plans for 2018-2021 and 2022-2027 (DHLGH, 2024). The establishment and reporting of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss set an international benchmark for embedding biodiversity into the public consciousness and for society-led recommendations. Several additional positive actions are highlighted below. Expansion of Ireland’s national parks In addition to the Natura 2000 network and network of NHAs (see Introduction) Ireland has eight national parks: 14 the Burren, Co. Clare; Glenveagh, Co. Donegal; Killarney, Co. Kerry; Wicklow Mountains; Connemara, Co. Galway; Wild Nephin, Co. Mayo, the Boyne Valley (Brú na Bóinne 15 ), Co. Meath and Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí 16 (Kerry Seas National Park). Ireland also has 77 registered nature reserves, most of which are owned by the state, except for a few owned by organisations or private landowners. All-Ireland Pollinator Plans 2015-2020 and 2021-2025 The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020, managed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), was the first action plan to address the decline of pollinating insects such as bees (see Fitzpatrick et al. , 2007). It set out to ensure the sustainability of our food production, avoid additional economic impact on the agricultural sector and protect the health of the environment (NDBC, 2020). Its overarching goals were to collectively take steps to reverse the loss of pollinators by restoring populations to healthy levels. The results of the first All-Ireland Pollinator Plan were extremely positive. It changed the perception of biodiversity conservation from being negative to being seen as an endeavour that can be achieved with positive solutions-based approaches. The pollinator plan engaged communities, businesses and local authorities in proactively managing land for pollinators and, by association, other biodiversity. A new All-Ireland Pollinator Plan for 2021-2025 (NBDC, 2021b) builds on the success of the first plan. It provides a 5-year road map to help bee and other pollinator populations and our wider biodiversity. It engages with more partners to deliver more actions and focuses on encouraging a better way of managing our whole landscape to permanently support our struggling biodiversity.