The Community Wetlands Forum (CWF) CLG is delighted to announce that it has launched its strategic plan for 2024 – 2026 at a networking event in Moore, Co. Roscommon on Thursday 18th April.
The Strategic Plan, the first plan of the newly launched CLG, sets out the main objectives of the organisation in the years ahead as it works to further advance community led wetland conservation in Ireland. The plan, which was launched by Catherine Casey, Head of Climate Change at the Heritage Council, has four main aims which seek to strengthen the organisation, develop its membership base and work with other stakeholders to advance community led wetland conservation, and the important contribution it makes. Mary Mulvey, company secretary of the CWF, thanked all those who contributed to the plan’s development, including members of the CWF, stakeholders and Sandra Velthuis of Whitebarn consulting who led workshops with members of the Forum to finalise the plan. Development Officer with the CWF, Mícheál Callaghan commented that “community led initiatives, working in collaboration with local and state authorities are vital at delivering healthy wetlands which benefit nature and people.”
Memebers of the Community Wetlands Forum in attendance at the launch
The plan was launched as part of a networking event held in Moore Community Centre, Co. Roscommon. The event focused on community led wetland conservation, and in particular on opportunities for collaboration between community groups and newly appointed local authority climate action and biodiversity officers. Panellists at the event included biodiversity officers in Clare and Monaghan, Roscommon’s Climate Action Officer and the Tullamore Lions Club who are leading a peatland restoration project in Co. Offaly, and Liam Scott of the Climate Action Regional Officer (CARO) for the Atlantic Sea Board North Region. Amongst the opportunities highlighted by attendees during the event was the appointment of biodiversity and climate action officers at local authority level, who have a mandate and budgets to work with and support community led initiatives.
The Community Wetlands Forum looks forward to furthering its objectives in the years ahead as well as the increased opportunities to work with local authorities, as well as a range of agencies and publicly funded projects. It invites community groups and individuals with an interest in community led wetland conservation to engage with it. Further details about the CWF and its members can be found by visiting www.communitywetlandsforum.ie or contacting [email protected]
