Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has launched the Waterford Greenway biodiversity hotspot and pocket recreation garden.
Developed through a partnership between Waterford City and County Council and South East Technological University (SETU), along with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the project will enhance local biodiversity, provide an outdoor learning environment for students, and create an attractive amenity space for Greenway users for generations to come.
Whistle-stop visit
During his recent whistle-stop visit, the Minister launched a range of Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) projects across County Waterford.
The Minister was joined throughout the day by Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip, Mary Butler TD; Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD; Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr John Pratt, Cathaoirleach of Comeragh District Council, Cllr John O’Leary; Mayor of Waterford Metropolitan District, Cllr Adam Wyse; together with elected members, Waterford City and County Council and SETU representatives.
At the Greenway, Minister Calleary said, “By integrating a Greenway rest stop with an educational biodiversity zone, this initiative delivers dual benefits. It promotes outdoor recreation and wellbeing while supporting year-round tourism and local economic activity.
“It is deeply rewarding to see my Department drive meaningful, tangible change in our towns and villages. With the delivery of outstanding projects like this one, I can confidently say we are bringing the vision of Our Rural Future closer to reality than ever before.”
Partnership
Eleanor Kent, Head of Department of Land Sciences said SETU is delighted to be part of this transformative project.
“SETU values the work we do with Waterford City and County Council and looks forward to further projects which will engage communities in outdoor recreation and wellbeing activities. Within SETU, Lecturer Yvonne Grace of the Department of Land Sciences has played a leading role in advancing these initiatives, supported by colleagues in Horticulture and Forestry. Technical Officer Shane Scannell has also been instrumental in facilitating this work.
“Looking ahead, SETU is placing a renewed emphasis on the concept of One Health, an integrated approach that seeks to connect communities with the natural environment. This initiative aims to enhance both human wellbeing and ecosystem health through collaborative actions that support long-term planetary sustainability.”
