A detailed breakdown of biodiversity measures by Area Committee is not available, as many biodiversity initiatives are planned, delivered and monitored on a county-wide basis. These measures are implemented through routine maintenance operations, capital projects, policy implementation and landscape management practices, rather than on an electoral area basis.

Biodiversity is incorporated into the management and development of the Council's parks, open spaces, public realm projects, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and development management processes.

Over the past 12 months, key biodiversity measures delivered through Public Realm works have included:

• Management of approximately 210 hectares of pollinator and biodiversity meadows through ecological mowing and cut-and-collect practices. This exceeds the target set under the Council's previous Pollinator Action Plan by 51% and supports wildflowers, pollinators and other wildlife.

• Continued implementation of pollinator-friendly management practices across parks, open spaces and road verges, including maintaining a glyphosate-free approach in parks, playgrounds and public gardens.

• Ongoing planting and management of pollinator-friendly bulbs, with more than 7.5 million bulbs planted at over 90 locations across the county since 2019. These provide an important early-season food source for pollinators.

• Management and restoration of over 400km of hedgerows, helping to strengthen ecological corridors and improve habitat connectivity throughout the county.

• Annual planting of approximately 3,500 trees across parks, open spaces, streetscapes and public realm projects. The Council also manages approximately 80,000 street trees and an estimated 125,000 trees on Council-owned lands, delivering biodiversity, climate resilience, urban cooling and landscape benefits.

• Expansion of mini woodlands and native tree planting initiatives at locations including Dodder Valley Park, Woodstown, Carrigmore Park, Oakwood Grove and Corkagh Park, with further planting planned at Waterstown Park. Since 2021, more than 44,000 native trees have been planted through these programmes.

• Delivery of biodiversity-led planting and habitat creation schemes using native and pollinator-friendly species in parks, public open spaces and capital projects.

• Collection of locally sourced wildflower seed from species-rich meadows to enhance existing meadow areas and restore sites affected by disturbance or construction works.

• Ongoing maintenance and enhancement of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), wetlands, attenuation areas, ponds and other green-blue infrastructure, delivering benefits for biodiversity, water quality and climate resilience.

• Continued operation and maintenance of the Council's Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs) at Dodder Valley Park, Griffeen Valley Park and Tymon Park. These wetlands provide valuable habitat while also improving water quality. Biodiversity surveys undertaken at these sites recorded a combined total of 185 invertebrate taxa during the 2025 and 2026 survey periods.

• Woodland management programmes across the county to improve woodland structure, strengthen habitat connectivity and support the long-term resilience of woodland habitats.

• Monitoring and management of invasive plant species, including identification, mapping and control where necessary.

• Adoption of the Council's Pollinator Action Plan 2026-2030, which contains 30 targeted actions to improve habitats and support pollinators across South Dublin County.

• Continued implementation of the Council's Biodiversity Plan, Climate Action Plan, Green Infrastructure Strategy and Tree Management Policy, ensuring biodiversity objectives are embedded in the design, delivery and management of public realm projects and open spaces.

• Delivery of community biodiversity initiatives, including biodiversity and pollinator walks, talks led by Park Rangers, community tree planting events and mini woodland planting projects.

• Support for schools and community groups through initiatives such as tree distribution during National Tree Week, delivered in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland, and participation in community biodiversity projects.

Public Realm continues to place biodiversity enhancement at the centre of its operations and capital project delivery. Biodiversity measures are integrated into project design, landscape management, habitat creation, nature-based solutions, SuDS infrastructure, tree planting programmes, meadow management and development management processes across the county.

Biodiversity and Development Management

Public Realm also plays an important role in the development management process by promoting biodiversity, implementing nature-based solutions and supporting the delivery of the County Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Key actions include:

• Ensuring the principles of the County Green Infrastructure Strategy and Nature-Based Solutions are incorporated into the design of new developments.

• Protecting and enhancing important ecological features, including trees, hedgerows, rivers, streams and wetlands.

• Requiring new developments to incorporate nature-based Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) that comply with Council policy and are integrated within the landscape.

• Applying the Green Space Factor to development proposals to secure measurable biodiversity improvements.

• Ensuring new parks and public open spaces contribute to and strengthen the county-wide Green Infrastructure Network.

• Promoting a minimum 10-metre setback from riverbanks where appropriate to allow natural processes to take place, provide space for habitat restoration and support the rewilding of riparian corridors. Work is also underway to assess the Griffeen and Poddle river corridors and develop a framework for their future management and enhancement.

• Promoting nature-based play by prioritising natural materials and surfaces and reducing reliance on plastics and synthetic products in playgrounds wherever possible.

Natural Water Operations

The Council continues to support biodiversity through its natural water operations, including:

• The ongoing operation and maintenance of four Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) systems located at Dodder Valley Park (two locations), Griffeen Valley Park and the River Poddle in Tymon Park. These wetlands provide diverse wetland habitats while also treating water pollution.

• Continued monitoring of biodiversity within these wetland systems through studies of aquatic and wetland invertebrates.

• Surveys undertaken in 2025 and 2026 recorded a combined total of 185 invertebrate taxa. Of these, 35 taxa were recorded in both years, while 31 taxa were unique to the 2025 survey and 119 taxa were unique to the 2026 survey, highlighting the ecological value and diversity of these habitats.