Green Communities

New cross border initiative helps community groups protect and enhance their local environment

An Taisce, in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy, is developing a new environmental programme called Green Communities. Green Communities is designed to encourage groups to actively enhance local biodiversity, while also minimizing the carbon footprint of their activities.

The programme is aimed at groups who are interested or already involved in community based environmental work. This project is being supported by Wicklow County Council as one of the local authorities in the 'border' area between Wales and Ireland.

It is envisioned that the programme will be very straightforward. As mentioned above the two main aspects are carbon footprinting of group activities and enhancing the local biodiversity in your areas. The carbon footprinting will be done by undertaking a simple review of existing activities and reducing their carbon footprint where possible. The biodiversity aspect of the programme will firstly involve your group identifying the main habitats in your area by carrying out a simple habitat survey. Then once important habitats have been identifies groups can then decide on a number of actions designed to enhance these areas.

Groups need not worry about the technical aspects of the programme as An Taisce will be on hand to help. We will also facilitate group’s actions and provide training if required. In addition groups can receive grants of up to €500 yearly towards their activities. There will also be opportunities to interact and share experiences with fellow groups from Wales.

To register your interest in the programme and obtain a Green Communities starter pack please ring Emlyn Cullen or Deirdre McGovern on 01 4002202

Alternatively send an email giving your Name, Group Name (if any), Address, and contact details to ecullen@eeu.antaisce.org  or dmcgovern@eeu.antaisce.org