CEO of BirdWatch Ireland Linda Lennon is one of six members who has been appointed to a new Advisory Committee for Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan.
Announced on Thursday by Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) on Nature Restoration will be tasked with providing advice to the Minister on the content of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, which is to be developed under the EU Nature Restoration Law. It will be led by an Independent Chair.
The Advisory Committee will also engage with the stakeholder participation process, and ensure that the Plan addresses the views of the public, key groups and sectors. In addition, it will be responsible for considering the outputs from technical, inter-departmental working groups across themes of Land, Sea, Towns and Cities, and Finance. The Minister will retain overall responsibility for the Plan, which will require an all-of-Government approach and Government approval.
Speaking about her appointment, CEO of BirdWatch Ireland Linda Lennon said:
“I am honoured and delighted to be a part of the committee which will help to shape Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan. The Nature Restoration Law and associated Nature Restoration Plan offer us a historic opportunity to restore our extremely valuable habitats back to their full health, a feat that has never been so urgent given our twin biodiversity and climate crises.
The health of our habitats has direct and indirect impacts, not only on our wildlife, but also on human wellbeing. That is why it is vital that as many people as possible are part of this conversation and help us to move this plan forward. I look forward to engaging with my fellow IAC members and various stakeholders in the coming months and supporting the formation of a plan that is ambitious, inclusive and science-based.”
In addition to being the CEO with BirdWatch Ireland since 2022, Linda brings with her a wealth of experience to the position. She previously worked as a senior civil servant for over 10 years, and has held CEO roles at the Olympic Stadium (London Stadium 185), The Royal Parks, and the independent Parole Board, in addition to various executive and non-executive director positions. This work saw her engage extensively with Ministers, Government Departments, MPs, Councillors, community groups and volunteers. She has a lifetime interest in wildlife and conservation and will continue her role at BirdWatch Ireland while also serving in her new position with the IAC.
The Chairperson of the IAC will be Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Associate Professor in the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics and an award-winning science communicator who chaired the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Other members include Farming for Nature Ambassador and dairy and sheep farmer, David Kerr; former policy officer of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Norah Parke; Vice President for Sustainability at University College Dublin, Tasman Crowe; and Joe McGrath, who was the first Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council from 2014 to 2024.
This Nature Restoration Law requires member states to restore 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems by 2050. Following its formal approval in June, Ireland and other member states are now required to draft their national restoration plans and lay out in detail how they plan to reach the targets proposed. Member states will have two years to put together their national restoration plans.
