Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the diversity of living organisms found in a given area. Across our campus and surrounding locality, we are particularly fortunate to find a diverse range of habitats rich in flora and fauna. These areas are not only important for the plants and animals that inhabit them but they also provide an invaluable amenity, both aesthetic and social, for the staff, students and wider community that access our campus.
The MGC Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) is involved in numerous initiatives and activities focused on developing these habitats and maximising the biodiversity value of the campus. These initiatives range from the preparation of habitat maps, the creation of species record and identification databases and the establishment of outreach and educational programs to inform and involve the campus and wider communities. The BWG also coordinates the annual Bioblitz events and BioDiversity Days. In 2016, Maynooth University became an official partner of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, an initiative led by the National Biodiversity Centre (http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/) to promote management practices that benefit our threatened native pollinators.
Biodiversity Working Group
Leader: James Carolan, Dept. of Biology
Other members of the biodiversity team are:
Stephen Seaman, Grounds Department Supervisor
Mary Jennings, Maynooth Tidy Towns
Dr Gail Maher, Dept. of Biology
Laoise Ní Chléirigh, Dept. of Froebel
Dr Máire Nic an Bhaird, Dept. of Froebel
