session 2 plans, strategies and legal instruments the importance and role of local biodiversity and heritage plans by Shirley Clerkin heritage officer Monaghan CoCo

1. Highlighting ecosystem services through local heritage and biodiversity plans Shirley Clerkin Heritage Officer Monaghan County Council 9 th October 2010 Tailors Hall, Dublin.

2. Breathe in. It’s free but not worthless.

3. Excerpt from TEEB for local and regional policy makers

4. Heritage Plan ACTION CONSERVATION Baseline data collection Ecological surveys FACTS Issues identified Actions developed Determine value to human well-being BENEFIT Awareness Understanding ADVOCACY

6. Issue Loss of wetlands Wetlands are an important habitat in Co.Monaghan and a major contributor to Monaghan’s biodiversity. Part of the character of a drumlin landscape is inter-drumlin wetlands. They act as flood buffers, water filters and as habitats for plants, invertebrates and birds. Development of a construction rubble / topsoil recycling scheme. Habitat survey of Co. Monaghan to determine types and extent of wetlands. Development of policies by MCC on development and wetlands. Awareness campaign on functions and value of wetlands. Training for MCC staff. Enforcement of legislation Infilling of interdrumlin and lakeshore wetlands. Lack of awareness of ecological, and hydrological value at public and local authority level. Illegal infilling without waste permit. Lack of appreciation. Inadequate enforcement of environmental legislation. Loss of flora and fauna associated with wetland habitats. Loss of landscape character. Comment on issue Opportunities for action Issue

14. Infilling / dumping on survey sites Number of sites impacted Heritage Plan action 12 20% 2009 Dragonfly and water beetle survey (59 sites surveyed) 8 20% 2008 Dragonfly Survey ( 39 sites surveyed) 6 18% 2008 Monaghan Fen Survey (34 sites surveyed) 20 48% Including 8 pNHAs 2007 Monaghan Fen Survey (42 sites surveyed)

15. From Branding Biodiversity. The new nature message. www.futerra.co.uk

22. Savings - 453 euro per year?

23. Mapping the ecological network Monaghan Wetland Map project

27. Shirley Clerkin 047 73722 [email_address] Monaghan County Council would like to acknowledge the ongoing financial and technical support of the Heritage Council.