Nature Friendly Spaces
All-Ireland Pollinator Plan
Since 2021, we have been actively championing the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) – a five-year initiative (2021-2025) dedicated to supporting pollinating insects, particularly bees and enriching biodiversity. Our commitment began with the introduction of pollinator gardens to our communal spaces in 2021 and since then, we have extended our efforts to align all assets wholly managed by I-RES with the AIPP.
We are also partnering with our third-party management agents to ensure the widespread adoption of AIPP initiatives. In 2023, our commitment to the AIPP took tangible form through various resident engagement events. These included planting days, an insightful webinar by AIPP, and a children’s competition to design pollinator signs.
These initiatives not only raised awareness but also garnered participation from many of our residents. Our dedication goes beyond mere introduction; we have actively sought measurable impacts.
The success of our engagement events in 2023 underscores our commitment to fostering environmental awareness within our communities. We strive to make a lasting positive impact on pollinator populations and contribute to the broader goals of biodiversity enhancement within our portfolio.
Green Roofs
Three of our properties have green roofs: Pipers Court features three sedum green roofs, Tara View has 1,225m2 of grass area on its roofs and The School Yard has a warm insulated built-up bituminous green roof. In 2024, we plan to assess smart green roof technologies designed to support the slow gradual release of rainwater during heavy rainfall, thereby alleviating pressure on urban drainage systems.
Swift Boxes
Swifts, categorised as a conservation concern and red-listed bird in Ireland, have witnessed a significant decline of 40 percent over the last 15 years. Thriving in urban environments for nesting, they exhibit a unique behaviour of returning to the same nest site annually. In 2023, we commenced the installation of swift boxes across our Portfolio. This commitment will continue in 2024. Additionally, we are actively engaging with our community partners to expand the installation of these boxes at their sites, to help preserve our precious Swift population.
- Annual data submission to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
- AIPP-hosted information webinar for residents
- Resident planting days
- Increased coverage of pollinator-friendly landscaped areas for each season
- Resident children’s ‘design a pollinator sign’ and ‘grow your own Sunflower’ competitions
- Installed bug hotels
- No Mow May: 1,600m2 grassed areas