Across the Island of Ireland, two important efforts stand at the forefront of pollinator protection: Butterfly Conservation’s Wild Spaces program and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP). Both initiatives are deeply committed to supporting pollinators, but they each focus on unique approaches and community-driven action.
On a broader scale, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) brings together local authorities, farmers, landowners, community groups, businesses and government agencies to address the pollinator crisis in a structured, all-island effort. Launched in 2015 and updated periodically, the Pollinator Plan is a response to the alarming decline in pollinator populations and provides a comprehensive framework for reversing this trend.
The Pollinator Plan is divided into key objectives that address the various threats to pollinators across Ireland. Actions include creating more pollinator-friendly habitats, reducing pesticide use, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The plan also focuses on research and monitoring, aiming to better understand pollinator species and their needs, while supporting local projects that contribute to their conservation.
One of the main strategies of the Pollinator Plan is the creation of resources for different sectors, such as local authorities, farmland, businesses, schools and communities. These sector-specific guidelines provide tailored advice and encourage the adoption of best practices for pollinator-friendly land management. For instance, farmers are encouraged to protect and plant native hedgerows, establish wildflower strips, and reduce pesticide use to help create an environment where pollinators can thrive.
Both Wild Spaces and the Pollinator Plan share the same ultimate goal: to create a more pollinator-friendly landscape across the island of Ireland. While Butterfly Conservation Ireland’s Wild Spaces program engages individuals at a grassroots level alongside the Pollinator Plan Community Officer, the Pollinator Plan takes a holistic, all-island approach by providing a framework for various sectors to take action. These two initiatives complement each other beautifully, with Wild Spaces continuing and adding to the local, hands-on efforts of previous schemes and Pollinator Plan’s Community Officers work and the Pollinator Plan working to implement an all-island strategy with far-reaching influence.
The Wild Spaces program contributes to the Pollinator Plan’s mission by helping individuals take personal action, whether it’s through creating butterfly-friendly gardens or supporting the planting of pollinator-friendly plants in public spaces. In turn, the all-island approach of the Pollinator Plan provides a multi-sector framework to ensure that local efforts are part of a wider, coordinated movement. The combined impact of both initiatives is greater than the sum of its parts, offering a powerful strategy for the protection and recovery of pollinators.
As individuals, we can all contribute to the preservation of pollinators. Whether it’s through creating a Wild Space in your garden or advocating for the implementation of the Pollinator Plan’s strategies in your community, every action counts. By reducing mowing to encourage wildflower growth, avoiding harmful pesticides, and learning more about the specific needs of pollinators, we can all make a difference.
The decline of pollinators is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, but through initiatives like Butterfly Conservation’s Wild Spaces and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plans Actions for Pollinators, there is hope. By creating habitats that support pollinators, raising awareness, and working together at both local and national levels, these efforts offer a comprehensive and collaborative approach to pollinator conservation. With continued commitment and action, we can help safeguard pollinators and preserve the vital ecological services they provide for generations to come.
To get in touch for more info please contact – northernireland@butterfly-conservation.org
Further information and resources can be found here
