Bayside is an actively working with Fingal County Council towards the creation and implementation of a Biodiversity Action Plan; an action plan to guide the protection, management and promotion of our natural heritage in Fingal, and more specifically, Bayside.

Fingal has a rich biodiversity resource with its coast, countryside and urban centres. The biodiversity resource is not only of local, national and international nature conservation importance, but it also contributes to the economy through tourism and makes Bayside (and wider Fingal region) an attractive place to live. At the moment, Fingal is one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland. The vision for Fingal is to develop and grow in such a way that maintains and enhances biodiversity for future generations. Our natural habitats and their associated plants and animals are valuable assets that need to be cared for and managed and everyone has an important role to play.

A group of Bayside residents, together with massive support from a biodiversiy consultant sponsored by Fingal County Council, have devised and submitted an initial Bayside Biodiversity Action Plan which is seeking funding for activties for the next 5 years.

What’s currently in the Bayside Action Plan

The following is the list of priorities for the Bayside Biodiversity Plan over the next 5 years:

1. DART Station enhancement:
   1. establish a wildflower area within the bark wood border on the sloped site to the right-hand side of the emergency exit
   1. Iarnród Éireann to place bird boxes on the lighting standard and tree beside the hedge running along the path to the underpass
   1. Possible establishment of Arctic tern nesting sites and/or green roofs on flat roofs over entrance to underpass on both sides of track
2. Communications Plan with local residents, businesses, schools, Community Centre, Scouts, sports clubs and other local organisations and the general public
3. Create wildlife corridors throughout the Bayside area by creating/enhancing wildlife habitats and pollinator friendly planting on pocket greens and connecting laneways and around bases of trees in Sutton Park, Sarto and Alden areas, while encouraging locals to adopt wildlife friendly gardening and planting practices. Also liaise with Fingal County Council regarding the development of bog gardens at sites on Bayside Park and Sarto Park. This will link in with specific actions by Bayside National School and Naomh Barróg GAA Club and form part of the proposed Biodiversity Corridor stretching from Malahide and Howth to Clontarf.
4. Support trees in Alden Park which are leaning over and allow grass to grow underneath them and in an area on the other side of the Boules area and inside the proposed ‘standing stones’ art installation.
5. Erect bird and bat boxes at identified sites throughout the area.
6. Provide information signage at wildlife supportive sites to explain the aim of the project to locals and the general public.
7. Ask Fingal County Council to cease use of pesticides, herbicides, weedkiller in Kilbarrack Cemetery and to allow grass to grow between the gravestones to increase habitats for wildlife.
8. Conduct surveys of different species including local trees, hedgehogs, swifts and others.
9. Consider the development of a nature trail throughout the area.

Why is it important to have a Local Biodiversity Action Plan