Farms making a plan for nature
Can Of For ‘actions A Five Approach Year Management Themes Nature One Or One Choose ’ A Two Applicants – Off
Farmers and other landowners have created over 1,000 plans over the past 18 years to conserve and restore nature.
A further 200 entrants are expected to participate in the 2025 Farm Plan Scheme, which will pay them for the results they deliver based on bespoke advice.
Applicants can choose one of two themes – a five-year management approach or a one-off ‘Actions for Nature.’ The scheme supports land managers, whether farmers or not, to deliver actions that benefit habitats and species in need.
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said interested participants are invited to apply by December 5.
The scheme, which began in 2006, has created a variety of nature interests, from birds and other species of conservation concern to a range of habitats, including coastal dunes, fens, peatlands, uplands and turloughs.
Urging landowners to join the scheme, Minister Noonan said there are currently 327 Farm Plans across the country.
The scheme is hugely impactful – both for nature and for the people doing the work to conserve it. It shows what can be achieved when people work together.
Minister Noonan said the scheme is a vital tool in the management of some of Ireland’s most important areas for nature and is a valuable means of addressing the challenges facing biodiversity in Ireland in partnership with the custodians of land.
Applicants can apply for the traditional approach (typically five-year ongoing management plans). Or they can opt for one-off ‘Actions for Nature.’ Priority is offered to lands in designated sites (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas, or where it can be confirmed habitats or species of conservation concern exist.
Minister Noonan said the scheme has a reputation for delivering high-end results, with land managers, farm planners and the National Parks and Wildlife Service working together to co-create and develop bespoke plans for the land in question.
Meanwhile, the National Biodiversity Data Centre website continues to highlight the ways that farmers can help biodiversity on their land.
The first step is to find out what’s already there, it says, explaining that it runs a 'Biodiversity on your Farm’ initiative on its website in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
It aims to help farmers to learn more about the species they are likely to find on their farms.
Every week, it focuses on a different species and shares a simple tip for farmers in managing biodiversity.
The Irish Farmers Association said earlier this year it was encouraging to see that the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan recognises the scale of the work that’s ongoing by farmers to improve biodiversity.
Environment and Rural Affairs chair John Murphy said Irish farmers are already contributing strongly to biodiversity.
On average, farms in Ireland have about 13% of their land dedicated to Space for Nature.
“It is positive to see the action within the plan to ensure that the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme is adequately resourced.
“This is essential in order to support farmers to deliver on the conservation objectives in protected areas, but the scheme must fully compensate, both for the income loss and the devaluation of the land asset,” he said.
