An additional €1.1 million in funding will be provided by Clare County Council, Shannon Development, Geological Survey of Ireland, Failte Ireland, National Monuments Service, Office of Public Works, The Heritage Council, National University of Ireland Galway, University College Dublin.
Carol Gleeson, Project Manager, Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark explained that the Geopark applied for the funding last year and will administrate and manage the project over the next five years.
She continued: “The funding will be used to develop and implement scientifically sound and sustainable visitor management and monitoring practices at key natural sites and cultural monuments in the Burren; in locations that have a lot of visitors and are currently under threat from erosion and structural damage.”
“The funding will also be used to assist Burren tourism businesses to adopt environmental practices and policies and to strengthen and support the Burren Ecotourism Network in developing and marketing the Burren as a genuine sustainable tourism destination,” Ms. Gleeson added.
LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance projects are pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments. Of the 607 proposals received, the Commission selected 113 projects for funding from a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The winning projects represent a total investment of €258.4 million, of which the EU will provide some €124.4 million.
Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “In this 20th anniversary year of the LIFE programme and the Habitats Directive, I’m delighted to announce the continuing support for high quality environmental projects across the EU. These latest LIFE+ projects continue a trend, started two decades ago, for innovative and best-practice actions furthering nature conservation, improving the environment and tackling climate change.”
Source: Irish Press Releases – Green Light For €2.2M Burren Tourism And Conservation Project
