Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

182 Chapter 7: Nature European Innovation Partnerships European Innovation Partnerships bring together relevant parties at the EU, national and regional levels to streamline, simplify and better coordinate existing financial instruments and initiatives. Managed by the DAFM in Ireland, European Innovation Partnerships focus on challenges that can benefit society and modernise sectors and markets. They allow farmers, scientists and other experts to collaborate to develop new practices that are environmentally friendly and economically sustainable. Projects focusing on protecting wildlife and biodiversity include: ■ BRIDE – Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying Environment 23 ■ a locally led scheme for the conservation of the hen harrier 24 ■ Protecting Farmland Pollinators 25 23 www.thebrideproject.ie (accessed 4 April 2024). 24 www.henharrierproject.ie (accessed 4 April 2024). 25 biodiversityireland.ie/projects/protecting-farmland-pollinators (accessed 4 April 2024). 26 birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/species-habitat-conservation/countryside-wetlands/curlew-eip (accessed 4 April 2024). 27 www.pearlmusselproject.ie (accessed 4 April 2024). 28 www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2023-12/Fingal%20Biodiversity%20Action%20Plan%202023-2030.pdf (accessed 9 September 2024). ■ a project on the conservation of breeding curlew in Ireland 26 ■ Pearl Mussel Project. 27 Local authority biodiversity officer programme Local authority biodiversity officers work at city and county levels collecting data on biodiversity, carrying out conservation projects, developing policies, providing advice and information, and raising awareness. Their role is diverse and is defined by individual local authority preferences, but with a core focus on strategic planning and collaboration on biodiversity and nature. For example, Fingal Council County published 100 actions 28 associated with five broad objectives (Figure 7.23). The programme is being delivered by the Heritage Council and the County and City Management Association, with support from the DHLGH and the NPWS. Figure 7.23  Objectives of Fingal Biodiversity Action Plan To increase our knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and monitor impacts of biodiversity actions through ecological research To develop and maintain the Fingal Ecological Network and increase the resilience of the network by restoring degraded habitats and habitat creation To raise public awareness and encourage involvement in biodiversity action by the wider community To tackle key pressures on species and habitats To ensure that (inter)national targets for species and habitats are translated into effective conservation action at local level in Fingal Source: Fingal County Council, 2023