Protect and conserve nature urges Offaly Green party councillor

A local Green party councillor has issued a call for all contractors employed by Offaly County council to undertake outdoor work to attend a one day Nature Skills Training led by Laois Offaly Education Training Board.

Cllr Mark Hackett said: “We heard recently that Laois Offaly ETB will lead on a pilot project aimed at council staff and contractors working in sensitive environments to develop knowledge of nature and biodiversity conservation. Offaly has been given this opportunity ahead of many other counties and I hope that we see maximum benefit from it. I believe it will support the great work already underway by the heritage, biodiversity and climate teams.”

“It is common knowledge that the destruction of habitats, including hedge removal to ground disturbance and building work, is a major threat to wildlife. In many cases it is happening needlessly and habitats can be protected with better awareness.

“The training, provided by LOETB, working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will include practical ecology across a range of different habitats, such as rivers, woodlands, hedgerows, peatlands and grasslands, as well as buildings and bridges, and offer guidance on key elements of environmental and wildlife law, risk mitigation and best practice. It is a perfect opportunity for the Council to ensure that all contractors who work outdoors learn how to protect and conserve nature in their day to day work.”

Cllr Hackett added: “I am asking Offaly County Council to consider attendance on this training as a criteria for awarding contracts to anyone who works out of doors on their behalf. As this is a no cost measure, I am looking forward to the full support of my councillor colleagues.”

king in sensitive environments to develop knowledge of nature and biodiversity conservation. Offaly has been given this opportunity ahead of many other counties and I hope that we see maximum benefit from it. I believe it will support the great work already underway by the heritage, biodiversity and climate teams.”

“It is common knowledge that the destruction of habitats, including hedge removal to ground disturbance and building work, is a major threat to wildlife. In many cases it is happening needlessly and habitats can be protected with better awareness.

“The training, provided by LOETB, working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will include practical ecology across a range of different habitats, such as rivers, woodlands, hedgerows, peatlands and grasslands, as well as buildings and bridges, and offer guidance on key elements of environmental and wildlife law, risk mitigation and best practice. It is a perfect opportunity for the Council to ensure that all contractors who work outdoors learn how to protect and conserve nature in their day to day work.”

Cllr Hackett added: “I am asking Offaly County Council to consider attendance on this training as a criteria for awarding contracts to anyone who works out of doors on their behalf. As this is a no cost measure, I am looking forward to the full support of my councillor colleagues.”