Lions Clubs in new agreement to deliver Midlands nature restoration projects
A new partnership has been announced between Lions Clubs and Tóchar, a State-funded wetlands restoration scheme, in an effort to "support wetlands restoration projects at a community level" in the Midlands.
Under the partnership, €250,000 per year is to be allocated for 2025 and 2026 to support restoration projects identified by Lions Clubs across the Just Transition region, which includes Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon.
The agreement was announced today (Friday) in Tullamore, where the Lions Club National Convention is taking place.
A statement on behalf of both parties said their collaboration would "harness local knowledge and expertise" to help deliver the nature restoration initiatives locally.
Tóchar, which is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is a three-year wetlands restoration project which is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.
The restoration projects planned under the scheme would be in wetlands - which are defined as areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface of the soil all year or for part of the year.
The statement on behalf of the two parties said the volunteer-run Lions Clubs would "manage the restoration of the wetlands and would be guided by Tóchar's expertise".
It added: "There is knowledge and expertise within the Lions Club memberships to deliver on these projects. One club which has already demonstrated this leadership is the Tullamore Lions Club, who undertook nature restoration works at Clonbeale More Bog in 2024."
Commenting on the partnership, Shirley Clerkin from Tóchar said: "We are delighted to have the Lions Clubs on board in this collaboration to deliver nature benefits across the Just Transition region, this includes the counties of Kildare, Galway, Roscommon, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary and Westmeath.
"Wetlands are good for the environment, filtering water, providing oxygen, and as places of tranquillity and peacefulness.
"The restoration and reparation of nature is a step on the journey towards sustainability and a new kind of nature positivity, bringing tangible outcomes for health and community. It's right that the Lions Clubs can play a meaningful role in this transformation."
Michael Carroll from the Tullamore Lions Clubs added that the partnership with Tóchar "allows us to expand our commitment" to serving local communities.
"By working together this can have a real impact by restoring nature which benefits local areas by enhancing biodiversity in those regions.
"We encourage our clubs across the regions to get involved in this important initiative and look forward to working with the Tóchar team on the approved projects," said Mr Carroll.