Buzzing with biodiversity in Longford County Council meeting

The Longford County Council Biodiversity Action Plan & Birding Backpack will be launched on Thursday, September 25 in Edgeworthstown library by Minister for Nature, Heritage & Biodiversity Christopher O’ Sullivan TD.

Conservation enhancement was highlighted at last week's meeting of Longford County County Council, as well as ten recommendations by local Tidy Towns groups.

Welcoming the Action Plan, Cllr Peggy Nolan said, “We are getting a lot of stick. In Kildare, you approach a roundabout and see a sign. It is due to a biodiversity plan with 57 actions.”

Read more: Autumn is preparing for Autism Awareness Disco in Longford for Halloween

She has asked for there to be signs of awareness when driving into Longford to build discussion during journeys about the environment and biodiversity. Describing the idea to be a cartoon bee to be on this sign, she said that it would look “spectacular.”

Along with this, she suggested that the grass verges be allowed to re-wild to allow for the increase of bees and butterflies, as well as flowers when driving into Longford.

Cllr Mark Casey expressed his reservations about the possibility of an unkempt appearance. He jested: “Keep mowing. It’ll look unsightly.”

Read more: PICTURES | Pedal power: Cycling enthusiasts complete scenic "Tour of Longford" for charity

However, Cllr Nolan insisted that it would be good, it was said that approach roads and roundabouts do not have good soil, so the growth of flowers would not be easy.