Thirty bat, bird, and bee boxes to be erected across the Shannon Campus
Tuesday 27th June 2023: Thirty bat, bird and bee boxes are being erected in the surrounding lands of the Shannon Campus to lend a hand to nature.
The nest boxes are part of The Shannon Airport Groupâs new Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which was launched by renowned Environmentalist and Broadcaster, Ăanna NĂ Lamhna.
They will be located at the Groupâs Community Biodiversity Garden, in woodlands and other areas of suitable habitat across the campus.
aThe launch of the plan took place in the Groupâs community Biodiversity Garden in Shannon where students from St Johnâs National School Shannon received an educational workshop on flora and fauna by Ms NĂ Lamhna and guest speaker Philip Brennan, the Shannon Airport Ornithologist. Also in attendance were local community groups, including Shannon Tidy Towns, Shannon Wetlands Community Group and the Men’s Shed.
The BAP, which is a key initiative of the Groupâs Sustainability Strategy, aims to gather data of the biodiversity present across the Groupâs lands and to protect and conserve it using the most appropriate and eco-friendly methods available.
It outlines a number of actions, which includes a âLow Mowâ regime, pollinator friendly planting, woodland enhancement, monitoring habitat transition, and education, outreach, and engagement.
Sinead Murphy, Head of Sustainability at The Shannon Airport Group said, âWe are proud to launch our Biodiversity Action Plan and take those necessary steps in the conservation and protection of our environment.
âOur mission for this plan is to become a biodiversity-friendly airport and business campus. We aim to protect, conserve, and enhance the valuable habitats and species present across The Shannon Airport Group lands.
âThis includes not only the EU Natura 2000 sites designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA), and the nationally important proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA), but also the undesignated sites which exist within the airport lands and commercial properties.â
Launching the Biodiversity Action Plan, Environmentalist and Broadcaster, Ăanna NĂ Lamhna commented, âIt is really great to be here today with the Shannon Airport Group staff, community members and pupils from St Johnâs National School, to launch the Groupâs Biodiversity Action Plan. We all have a part to play. The simplest of environmental management changes can bring huge improvement in biodiversity. Here on the Shannon campus, there is already the return of Marsh Orchids and Bee Orchids thanks to a low mow regime. It will get better and better as the Action plan is further rolled out.â
Last year, the Group launched its Sustainability Strategy which acts as a blueprint to achieve a more sustainable future for the Group, its people, and the community.
To find out more visit https://snnairportgroup.ie/sustainability/biodiversity-action-plan