Louth County Council welcomed the Minister of State for Nature, Biodiversity and Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, to the Baltray Little Tern Conservancy Project in Drogheda. The visit took place during National Biodiversity Week and marked the announcement of the 2026 Local Biodiversity Action Fund allocations.
Minister O’Sullivan was welcomed to County Louth by the Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall who said:
"I am delighted to welcome Minister O’Sullivan to Drogheda during National Biodiversity Week. The Baltray Little Tern Conservation Project showcases the very best of community-led environmental action. The commitment of volunteers, supported by initiatives such as the Local Biodiversity Action Fund, ensures that our natural heritage is protected for future generations."
The Local Biodiversity Action Fund is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and delivered locally by Louth County Council. It supports practical projects that assist local authorities in implementing biodiversity actions with projects delivering critical actions under Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan. In 2026, seven projects across County Louth received funding, including the Baltray Little Tern Conservation Project.
The Baltray project is a long-running, conservation initiative led by Louth Nature Trust. It focuses on protecting the Little Tern, one of Ireland’s most vulnerable breeding seabirds. Since 2007, the project has worked to protect shore nesting sites, monitor birds, manage predators, and raise public awareness about the species vulnerability to disturbance. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund supports round-the-clock wardening throughout the breeding season with local volunteers playing a key role.