Monaghan County Council is developing a new Biodiversity Action Plan for the period 2026 – 2031 to guide the protection and conservation of the county’s biodiversity
The draft plan outlines an ambitious five-year framework to protect, restore, and enhance the county’s rich and diverse natural environment. The plan proposes 50 targeted actions organised under 4 strategic themes. These are:
- Biodiversity Audit: Building a comprehensive knowledge base to guide the conservation and sustainable management of Monaghan’s biodiversity.
- Conservation & Restoration: Prioritising the protection, recovery, and enhancement of species and habitats to reverse biodiversity decline in the county.
- Governance & Leadership: Ensuring Monaghan County Council leads by integrating biodiversity into all policies, planning, and community actions.
- Connecting to Nature: Engaging and empowering communities to appreciate, protect, and actively support Monaghan’s biodiversity.
We wish to hear your views on the draft Biodiversity Action Plan 2026 – 2030. Submissions are welcome from individuals, businesses, agencies, groups and organisations.
Making a Submission
You can submit your views online, by post, or email :
- Online: By completing the Draft Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031 Public Consultation submission form at Draft Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031 | Monaghan County Council’s Consultation Portal
- Email: biodiversity@monaghancoco.ie with the subject line “Submission – County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026–2031”
- Post: Biodiversity Officer, Environment Section, Carrickmacross Civic Offices, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross, Monaghan, A81RY22 (Mark clearly: “Submission – County Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026–2031)
- All submissions should include your name and address, and where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc., which you represent.Note: As this is a public consultation process, submissions may be made available for public viewing and consequently personal details such as address, email address, and phone number should be submitted on a separate sheet accompanying the submission or observation.
We would welcome your observations / submissions on the Draft Monaghan Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031. Monaghan County Council wish to acknowledge the role and support of the Heritage Council in funding the development of the plan.
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.