County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031
County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031 is available for downloading
County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026 – 2031 PDF
County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026 – 2031 PDF As Gaeilge
A large gathering of community groups, elected members, environmental organisations, public representatives and council staff came together at Concra Wood, Castleblayney, overlooking Lough Muckno, on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of the County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031.
The event marked the culmination of a two-year process of research, consultation and engagement across the county. Guests also heard a keynote address from acclaimed wildlife filmmaker and broadcaster Colin Stafford-Johnson.
Launching the Plan, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr Aidan Campbell, praised the collaborative effort behind its development. “The unanimous adoption of this Plan by the elected members speaks volumes about our commitment to biodiversity in County Monaghan. This is a Plan for everyone, and its success will depend on continued partnership between communities, landowners, organisations and public bodies.”
Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Robert Burns highlighted the importance of local action in addressing biodiversity loss. “Biodiversity protection and restoration is no longer an optional extra, it is fundamental to the wellbeing, resilience and sustainability of our communities. This Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for how we can work together to protect and enhance nature across County Monaghan over the coming years.”
The Plan sets out 50 actions across four themes and aims to deliver biodiversity gains through collaboration with communities, schools, farmers, businesses and statutory agencies.
Biodiversity Officer of Monaghan County Council, Dr. Patricia McCreesh thanked all those who contributed to the Plan’s development and emphasised the vital role local communities will play in helping to deliver its ambitions.
The launch concluded with a strong message of optimism and shared responsibility for protecting and restoring biodiversity across County Monaghan for future generations.
Monaghan Biodiversity and Heritage Strategic Plan 2020-2025
The Monaghan Biodiversity and Heritage Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is available for download.
Biodiversity And Heritage Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (PDF)
We have an ambitious vision that by 2025 the role of heritage and biodiversity for climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable communities, functioning ecosystems, health and well-being is generally accepted in the county and embedded in the activities of Monaghan County Council.
The mission or purpose of the strategic plan is to protect, conserve and advocate for our biodiversity, tangible and intangible heritage, contributing to sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The plan contains thirteen strategic themes with action plans that will guide the work of the Monaghan County Council Heritage Office, and the County Monaghan Heritage Forum for the next five years.
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation through heritage and biodiversity
- Monaghan’s Wonderful Wetlands.
- Hedgerows and Native woodland.
- High Nature Value Farmland.
- The Worm Ditch / The Black Pig’s Dyke.
- Pre-historic archaeology / Passage graves and cairns.
- Protected Structures.
- Vernacular and traditional buildings.
- Demesnes and estates.
- Historic Graveyards, holy wells and church ruins.
- Indigenous knowledge and traditions.
- Cross-border heritage.
- Irish and the vernacular English.