Wexford County Council is committed to developing projects to help combat climate change and contribute to its objectives under the Wexford Biodiversity Plan, the Climate Change Adaptation Plan and the Corporate Plan. The Rewilding Wexford Project has identified sites which will promote and enhance biodiversity.
What is ‘rewilding’?
Rewilding is the process of returning land to a more natural, ecologically-rich habitat. Rewilding Wexford has identified sites for development as biodiversity habitats which will support native species of flora and fauna in their given locality. It is an objective to increase the area of natural woodland throughout the county on council owned lands and to safeguard the rich habitat of the wetlands. In addition to increasing biodiversity objectives, rewilding also serves to improve ecosystem services. These are defined as the gains and benefits to humans provided by the natural environment and healthy ecosystems, and can include social, cultural and health benefits.
Site types
There are two main site types in the Rewilding Wexford project; woodlands and wetlands.
There are many pockets of natural woodlands within council owned lands and these are being supplemented with newly planted woodlands. Newly identified areas are being planted with a mixture of species such as oak, birch, holly, and alder. It is also an objective of the project to enhance hedgerows by the addition of native hedgerow species where necessary.
Wetlands in council ownership are mainly located along the rivers of the county. Many of these are Special Areas of Conservation designated under EU law (Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
In addition to supporting the objectives of the Wexford Biodiversity Plan and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, the Rewilding Wexford project will also help to fulfil national policy objectives including the National Biodiversity Action Plan, All Ireland Pollinator Plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
For further information please contact heritage.biodiversity@wexfordcoco.ie
