Ireland’s Second National Biodiversity Plan, Actions for 2011-2016
Ireland’s Second National Biodiversity Plan, Actions for 2011-2016 was launched in November 2011. It contains a Vision Statement, Strategy and specific Actions to be completed by 2016. It can be viewed by clicking here.
Dublin City Council continues to progress these Actions and to support and promote Biodiversity through all of its services and policies, in accordance with the National Plan, the DCC Biodiversity Action Plan 2008-2012 and the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017. Dublin City Council has had an officer for Biodiversity since 2005.
The designated officer for Biodiversity since 2009 is Maryann Harris, Parks and Landscape Services Division, contact 222-3806 or by email: biodiversity@dublincity.ie
For further information on Biodiversity in Dublin City, please click here.
Dublin City Council’s role in historic recording of salmon in Tolka
Juvenile wild Atlantic salmon have been recorded in three locations in the River Tolka for the first time in well over one hundred years. This is thanks to the Tolka Flood Relief Scheme which was carried out by the Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council and Meath and Fingal County Councils. 
The scheme improved water quality and removed or modified a number of man-made weirs which opened the river up to migrating fish stocks and this has resulted in the historic recording of wild salmon in the Tolka at Glasnevin, Finglas and all the way upstream to the Tolka’s headwaters in Dunboyne.
The salmon’s habitat will be further improved by the Inland Fisheries Ireland enhancement plan that Dublin City Council is implementing at Tolka Valley Park, Cardiffsbridge. Once complete, there will be a new linear park along the Tolka River at the Pelletstown area which will include the improvement of fish habitat and the control of invasive species including Giant Hogweed. 
The regional park includes new planting of thousands of trees and shrubs and will provide a continuous cycle and walking route along the River from Ashtown to Glasnevin, with partial funding from the National Transport Authority.
Autumn Play Activities in Ballymun Parks
Bloom in the Park 2011 
Riverrun, the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Garden, won 2 prizes at Bloom in the Park 2011; Best Overall in Show (Small Gardens) and Silver Medal.
Bord Bia invited Dublin City Council to exhibit the garden for UNESCO designation. The Garden was designed by Parks and Landscape Services Division. Libraries and Parks prepared information leaflets. Libraries scheduled actors and authors to read from the garden.
Sponsorship was by Parks and Landscape Services Division, Central Area Office and Dublin City Libraries.
The Garden is now permanently located at Phibsboro Public Library grounds and will be a venue for future literary events.
Bushy Park Masterplan Update
Dublin City Council Parks Department commissioned MosArt to prepare a Landscape Masterplan and Management & Development Plan to ‘identify management, maintenance, development and landscape design objectives’ for Bushy Park. The brief required a set of consolidated guidance documents to provide the direction for future design and management decisions relating to the Park. The project was divided into two stages with the first one being a combination of professional evaluation and public consultation. The second stage was the development of design and management objectives based on the findings of stage one.
MosArt recently presented their Landscape Masterplan to the South Central Area Committee. Download the presentation or read more about Bushy Park.
Guidelines for Open Space and Landscape Development Works
The Parks and Landscapes Services Division of Dublin City Council have issued general guidelines for the development of open space to ensure quality standards are met. Persons preparing planning applications, including landscape professionals, should be aware of the specific European and national standards relating to open space and landscape development works. Read the guidelines.