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June 2025 Newsletter 

Hi Everyone,

We gratefully appreciate all of you who supported last month's Climate Action & Biodiversity Fortnight either through your attendance at, participation in, or assistance with any of its broad range of events. The initiative was a great success with over 500 people availing of the opportunity to learn more about matters as diverse as dark sky pollution, biodiversity on the farm to t-shirt upcycling. 

In this month's newsletter, we bring you information on / details of:

 -  Appointment of new Community Climate Action Officer, Sandra Martin & farewell to her predecessor, Clinton Donovan;
 -  Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) Funding - Round 2;
 -  Public Meetings announced on Water Quality in Wexford;
 -  "Wexford One Health Survey" being carried out by The Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics at Georgia Southern University;
 -  SE Systems Community Fund 2025;

 -  Call-Out for Volunteers for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann;
 -  "
Managing Communities for Pollinators", an online course for Community Groups;
 -  Photos from Climate Action & Biodiversity Fortnight 2025.
 
Take care everyone, and enjoy the Summer. 

The Climate Action Wexford Team. 

Welcome to the Team, Sandra;
Farewell & Best of Luck, Clinton.

Photo of new Community Climate Action Officer

We are delighted to welcome, Sandra Martin, to the Climate Action Wexford Team as Community Climate Action Officer.

Sandra will play a key role in supporting and empowering communities to engage in climate action and sustainability projects which, in turn, will contribute to meeting Ireland’s climate targets and build awareness of the impact of climate change.

In her new role, Sandra will assist in making the public aware of new climate action initiatives and funding programmes, and provide information that may be required to fully avail of Wexford County Council’s wide range of services in relation to climate action.

Photo of Cycling & Walking Officer in a van
Sandra replaces Clinton Donovan who was recently appointed Cycling & Walking Officer, a role in which Clinton will provide support to Wexford County Council's Active Travel Team on cycling and walking infrastructure projects designed to provide a safe alternative to car travel.

Our deepest appreciation is extended to Clinton for his unwavering dedication, ability, drive and vision in his engagement with, and support of, the community on numerous climate action initiatives, projects and funding programmes throughout his tenure as Community Climate Action Officer. 

We wish Sandra and Clinton all the very best in their new roles.

Community Climate Action Programme Funding
(Round 2)

Image of two people gardening

The Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) is a programme to support communities to take climate action at a local level. Wexford County Council in association with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), will provide funding to communities for projects that promote community climate action.

Round 2 funding of the CCAP is expected to be announced by the DECC towards the end of Q3 2025.

Any community groups interested in submitting an application under Round 2 are advised to contact Community Climate Action Officer, Sandra Martin at climateaction@wexfordcoco.ie in advance of this announcement for advice.

Public Meetings Announced on Water Quality
in Wexford
(Meeting Dates: 17th June & 26th June, 2025)

LAWPRO logo

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and Wexford County Council’s Climate Action and Environment Section are holding two public meetings about the quality of our natural waters in Clonroche and Craanford.

Details of the meetings are as follows:

  • Clonroche Community Hall: 17th June, 2025 at 7pm
  • Craanford Community Hall: 26th June, 2025 at 7pm

These community information meetings are being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area, and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community, including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors.

Along with LAWPRO and Wexford County Council’s Climate Action and Environment Section, other key agencies involved in protecting and restoring the quality of our natural waters are being invited to participate so there will be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members from these agencies.

LAWPRO working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water, under the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland carries out work in areas identified as having poor water quality called Priority Areas for Action (PAA) to support targeted water quality improvements with other stakeholders.

Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO said: “As we continue our work in the Slaney catchment area and begin implementation of the new Water Action Plan we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what’s happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments.

We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Wexford because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements. We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them.”

Commenting on the upcoming meetings, Eamonn Hore, Director of Services, Wexford County Council said: "Clean and healthy water is vital for our environment, our communities, and our future. These public meetings are a great opportunity for people to learn more about the collaborative work underway to protect and restore water quality across Wexford. We encourage everyone; residents, farmers, business owners and community groups to attend, share your concerns and learn all about what you can do to further protect and enhance your local water environment”.

Wexford One Health Survey
Deadline for completion: Friday, 27th June, 2025

Photo of people standing around a display stand.

The Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics at Georgia Southern University are currently completing a survey among residents in County Wexford and are looking for your help in sharing and completing the survey which will take 10-15 mins to complete. 

This anonymous survey looks at how health, the environment, and daily life connect in Wexford. Everyone over 18 living in Wexford qualifies - no previous knowledge or experience needed to complete the survey. 

The results may help shape future health and environmental initiatives in Wexford.  
You can access the survey here: https://form.jotform.com/251186460785060 

Deadline for completion: Friday, 27th June, 2025

SE Systems Community Fund 2025
Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future​
Application Deadline: 18th July, 2025 

Is your community group looking to lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions? 

The SE Systems Community Fund Summer Call is here to help! It supports non-profits, charities, and voluntary organisations in delivering impactful energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that create long-term benefits for communities across Ireland.

For Summer 2025, €500,000 in funding is being made available to help organisations future-proof their buildings through sustainable energy upgrades.

Call out for Volunteers!
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann needs you!

Poster displaying Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann volunteers.

We are sure you are all aware that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is coming back to Wexford from 3rd to 10th August this year!

The 2025 Fleadh Cheoil promises to be bigger and better than 2024, with 650,000+ visitors to Wexford anticipated during the event.

1,000 volunteers are being sought to assist with the smooth running of the Fleadh and with welcoming people to Wexford. 

Volunteering will be at the heart of the Fleadh Cheoil’s success, and volunteers will get to be at the heart of the action during the Fleadh.
 
Volunteers will be required for the following roles:
 -  Green Fleadh Duties 
 -  Events Stewarding
 -  Competitions Stewarding
 -  Street Ambassador Duties
 -  Information & Customer Service Booths

Volunteers:
 -  can advise when applying on what day(s) they are available
 -  can volunteer for as little as one shift
 -  will be provided with Health & Safety training before the Fleadh
 -  will be entitled to free travel on the Park & Rides
 -  will be provided with sandwiches and light refreshments on any day(s) they volunteer, and most importantly, will be in the centre of the buzz and craic during the Fleadh!

Please visit https://fleadhcheoil.ie/volunteering for further information and access to the volunteer portal.

For any queries, please contact: volunteer@wexfordcoco.ie or volunteers@fleadhcheoil.ie.

Managing Communities for Pollinators
- online course for Community Groups

Graphic image of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan recently released an online course for community groups 'Managing Communities for Pollinators'.

This is adapted from the National Biodiversity Data Centre's existing guidelines for local communities, and contains evidence-based actions for groups of all sizes, urban and rural, including plant lists, pollinator-friendly mowing tips, and advice on pesticide alternatives.

This course offers an alternative learning format to community groups who want to find out more about taking action for pollinators and may be of particular interest to:

 -  Tidy Towns groups
 -  Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful groups
 -  Green Communities
 -  Community Gardens, and
 -  Residents' Associations.

The enrollment link can be found here: Managing Communities for Pollinators

To conclude, some photos from Climate Action & Biodiversity Fortnight 2025

Arthurstown Coastal Walk

Photo of people standing by a shoreline

Biodiversity on the Farm Walk, Poole Family Farm, Gorey

Photo of people standing under a tree

Biodiversity & Geology Cycle, Hook Head

Photo of people with the Hook Lighthouse in the background

Until next time, keep safe, well
& climate aware! ⛅

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Wexford County Council
Frank Burke
County Hall
Y35 WY93 Carricklawn, Wexford
Ireland


climateaction@wexfordcoco.ie