News
NPWS Grants for Small Recording Projects 2024
Date Released: Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is an executive agency of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is the statutory body responsible for Nature Conservation and Natural Heritage in Ireland. NPWS depends on accurate information on species and habitats to underpin its scientific advice on nature conservation objectives and practical measures.
Ireland has a long tradition of natural history recording. NPWS recognises that the recording community needs support to maintain and enhance its expertise in species identification and recording. NPWS also views the grant scheme as a key action for delivering one of the targets of the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The primary aim of these grants is to support and encourage the current network of naturalists recording in Ireland and to develop the next generation of specialist recorders. Grants are aimed at volunteer, unpaid recorders, or groups, societies and associations of recorders who have limited/no access to financial supports for their work.
2024 is the sixth year of the grant scheme and so far it has supported nearly 140 projects run by individuals and groups. Grants have covered the entire range of Irish natural history and the subjects of those awarded in 2023 included support for a conference on Irish moths; a book on Irish natural history; specialist equipment to assist disturbance-free surveys of birds and mammals; providing specialist training in invertebrate identification techniques; and species surveys of bees, bats, ferns, orchids and egg-laying skates amongst others
NPWS is pleased to announce that the 2024 scheme is now open. Applications are being sought from the recording community for Irish natural history-related projects. Applications must be submitted to biodiversitypolicy@housing.gov.ie, with NPWS Grants for small recording projects 2024 in the subject field, by 5pm on 8th April 2024. Please see the Application Form available in English and Application Form available in Gaelige for further details.
Images courtesy of Brian Nelson