Sligo County Council is developing a new Biodiversity Action Plan to guide the protection and conservation of the county’s biodiversity.

We are inviting everyone with an interest in Sligo’s natural heritage and wildlife to share their views.

The draft plan outlines an ambitious five-year framework to protect, restore, and enhance the county’s rich and diverse natural environment.

The plan proposes 52 targeted actions organised under 5 strategic themes.

These are:

1. Knowing – Strengthening the scientific and local understanding of biodiversity through research, monitoring, and community-led surveys.
2. Acting – Implementing practical conservation measures to restore habitats, improve water quality, and enhance green infrastructure.
3. Promoting – Fostering a deeper public appreciation of biodiversity through education, school programs, and outreach events.
4. Practicing – Integrating biodiversity into everyday decision-making within the Council through policy development and staff training.
5. Partnerships – Building strong collaborations with State agencies, NGOs, farmers, landowners, and local communities to deliver shared goals.

This draft Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has been developed through extensive collaboration between Sligo County Council and the Sligo Biodiversity Working Group.

Established in 2024, the Sligo Biodiversity Working Group brings together representatives from local government, State agencies, farming organisations, landowners,

the education sector, and the community and voluntary sector.

The plan also reflects input from public consultation as well as engagement with organisations working in biodiversity, conservation, and land management.

View the Plan

View the Draft County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan 2025 – 2030 from Monday 21st July to Monday 25th August 2025.

Making a Submission

You can submit your views online, by post, email or in person at one of our drop-in sessions:

• Online: By completing the Draft Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030 Public Consultation submission form at https://consult.sligococo.ie/en
• Email: biodiversity@sligococo.ie with the subject line “Submission – County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2030″
• Post: Ruth Hanniffy, Biodiversity Officer, Heritage Office, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo, F91 PP44 (Mark clearly: “Submission – County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2030”)
• In person: Attend one of the following drop-in sessions:
• Ballymote Community Library – Thursday 24 July, 13:00–16:00 (short talk at 1:30pm)
• Tubbercurry Community Library – Tuesday 29th July, 13:00–16:00 (short talk at 1:30pm)
• Enniscrone Branch Library – Wednesday 30th July, 13:00–16:00 (short talk at 1:30pm)
• Sligo Central Library – Thursday 31st July, 13:00–16:00 (short talk at 1:30pm)
• Online talk – Wednesday 30th July, 7:30pm (To register for the online meeting please email biodiversity@sligococo.ie)

* Please note that all completed surveys and written submissions will be made available for public viewing on this consultation portal (personal or sensitive information will be redacted).

The closing date for submissions is 4pm, Monday 25^th August 2025.