• National Heritage Week 2025 - local events.
• ‘How to Garden with Nature', a free, practical advice & information event of interest to anyone interested in learning how to improve their range of native plants and biodiversity in relatively easy steps.
• Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) information evenings on how to apply for CCAP Round 2.
• 'From Plate to Planet', a free, regional seminar, aimed at hospitality professionals, which focuses on tackling one of the industry’s most pressing challenges - food waste.
• County Wexford Local Biodiversity Action Plan.
• The Leaders for Nature Programme - a cross-sector, all-island leadership programme designed to support professionals across diverse sectors to respond with clarity, courage, and collaboration to the ambitions of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, National Biodiversity Action Plan and the upcoming Nature Restoration Plan.

National Heritage Week takes place this year from the 16th to the 24th of August with many events taking place across the County. 

Follow this link to find out what’s on in your area What's On | National Heritage Week 16th – 24th August 2025

The following are a taster of just some of the events taking place around County Wexford:

The Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) provides funding to support communities to take climate action at a local level with the objective of building low carbon, sustainable communities, which will, in turn contribute to the national climate and energy targets.

In anticipation of CCAP Round 2, the Community Climate Action Officer will hold public information sessions, at the following locations, to explain how the fund can work for your community and provide guidance on how to prepare an application.

To register your interest in attending one of these sessions, please email climateaction@wexfordcoco.ie

-  Gorey Library, Y25 WK37:  Tuesday, 23rd September @ 7pm

-  Enniscorthy Library, Y21 AD92:  Thursday, 25th September @ 7pm

-  Bunclody Library, Y21 E970:  Tuesday, 30th September @ 3pm

-  Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay, Y35 TH9W:  Wednesday, 1st October @ 7pm

-  Wexford Library, Y35 AY20:  Thursday, 2nd October @ 7pm

-  New Ross Library, Y34 NW56:  Tuesday, 7th October @ 7pm

Date:     Tuesday, 7th October, 2025
Time:    Registration 8.30am / Prompt Start 9am / Lunch 1pm / End 2.30pm
Venue:   Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow.

Booking details and further information available at: www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/Training-Events/Online-Bookings

Hospitality professionals across the South East are invited to a dynamic free seminar focused on tackling one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: food waste. This event will explore how reducing waste can unlock significant cost savings, improve staff efficiency, and streamline kitchen operations — all while contributing to a more sustainable food system.

There is an amazing line-up guaranteed to inform and inspire attendees.  

Experienced and respected experts in the industry such as multi-award winning Chef Conor Spacey; Michelin Star Chef Enda McEvoy; Climate Conscious Chef Ali Honour; and Food on the Edge Ambassador and Chef Janice Casey Bracken will share their experience and advice. 

Food policy experts Ruth Hegarty and Colum Gibson will explore legislative challenges that are currently affecting the industry which will be facilitated by Jennifer Lyons of CULTIVATE EU.

VOICE Ireland who are the NGO expert in Ireland on waste reduction and circular economy will be represented by Colin O'Byrne while key account manager for Positive Carbon Kate Barlow will guide you through new innovations, including AI sensor technology.  
A limited number of businesses will have the opportunity to receive a free assessments of their recycling and food waste bills by experts from the Clean Technology Centre.

A Local Biodiversity Action Plan is currently being developed for County Wexford. The aim of the plan is to provide a structured approach to biodiversity conservation at local authority level. The plan will outline the objectives and actions needed to protect and enhance biodiversity within Wexford County. 

The plan development is being guided by a Biodiversity Working Group working alongside the Council’s Biodiversity Officer. This working group includes representatives from the Local Authority, including elected members and staff, representatives from state agencies working in the area of biodiversity conservation, local heritage and biodiversity groups, local specialists, educational institutions, landowners and farming representatives. 

This group considered the main issues which were highlighted as being of significance for Wexford’s biodiversity during a pre-draft public consultation for the action plan in April and May. These issues raised are now being used as the basis for developing actions for the action plan for the coming five years.

Some of the main issues the plan will seek to address are as follows: 

• Pesticides use reduction by Council and general public
• Biodiversity awareness raising and training for the public
• Biodiversity training for Wexford County Council staff
• Promotion of Biodiversity enhancement in parks and gardens
• A strategic plan for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) control
• Highlighting and enhancing of Ecological corridors
• Promotion of Native plants of local provenance for planting schemes
• Lady’s Island restoration to good status
• Developing and promotion of Citizen science opportunities
• Hedgerow management training and awareness of legislation in relation to cutting out of season
• Compliance with environmental legislation
• Deterioration of wetlands and seek restoration opportunities
• Safeguarding Biodiversity in Land Use and Marine Management activities
• Mapping and protection of Sea grass beds
• Mapping rare and scarce plants of the County
• Improved Water quality – actions for land and sea
• Protection of native and ancient woodlands
• Raise awareness of Wildlife crime
• Protection of Locally Important Biodiversity sites - important biodiversity sites outside of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Natural Heritage Areas (NHA)
• Inclusion of Nature Based Solutions into projects

Once the draft plan is developed, it will be presented to the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment Strategic Policy Committee of Wexford County Council for their review and approval. It will then be placed on public display for submissions from the public. The public consultation phase is likely to be in January to February 2026.

On 17th June last, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, officially launched the Leaders for Nature Programme - a collaborative initiative by Common Purpose, Native Events and Leave No Trace Ireland.

This cross-sector leadership programme is designed for people who are actively working to protect and restore Ireland’s natural environment. It brings together leaders from conservation, agriculture, energy, water, forestry, government, and beyond, with a shared mission to address biodiversity loss.

The programme directly supports the delivery of Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan (2023–2030) by:

• Building leadership skills focused on nature and sustainability
• Connecting people working across different sectors
• Supporting the creation of real solutions to Ireland’s biodiversity crisis

As Minister O’Sullivan said, “Nature restoration has never been more critical.” This is a unique opportunity to build leadership skills, expand networks, and actively contribute to shaping Ireland’s biodiversity future.

For more information or to apply, please visit: Leaders for Nature Programme – Common Purpose