In 2020 Kildare County Council commenced an initiative aimed at identifying and assessing the use of alternatives to chemical herbicide in the maintenance of public amenity spaces in the county.
The project involves the investigation and practical assessment of alternatives for the control of weeds, noxious and invasive plants as well as developing an environmentally sustainable weed control programme that also promotes biodiversity.
The project is a collaborate effort with Maynooth University, Teagasc, and more recently with the support of the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Local Authorities and other public bodies have been given the opportunity to become partners on the project where, while receiving significant benefits in return, will help to further expand the scope and potential of the project to deliver significant benefits for all.
According to Paula O’Rourke, Project Leader “Local Authorities have responsibility for the maintenance of diverse public areas, involving the use of chemical herbicides. Concerns relating to the impact of chemical pesticides on human health, biodiversity, ecosystem services and water quality have resulted in attempts to reduce usage. This ambitious project has the potential to make meaningful and lasting changes to our local environment, resulting in evidence-based guidelines that promote and protect biodiversity while reducing our environmental impact.” Local authorities have already started to sign up to partner on this very worthwhile project.
For further information please contact Paula directly - Porourke@kildarecoco.ie.