Reporting and next steps

Long time since the last blog post! Very busy times and much interest in the project in the meantime. It has been some time now since the completion of the report, it was completed back in November and circulated to stakeholders and funders. 

To view the report you can click here 

The report will now be used as the basis for informing relevant decision-makers about the project and to enable them to consider taking it forward 

It will also assist in providing a clearer vision and definition for the project to those living and working in the local area.

The report includes a set of recommendations which we hope will be carried out by relevant organisations in due course.  

The recommendations include: Presentation of the WWP concept alongside potential benefits and constraints to key local authorities, wider stakeholders (including those not consulted so far) and community groups, a WWP seminar or conference with group discussion hosted by local authorities and targeted at a wider stakeholder group, the production of supporting materials to help illustrate the project more fully - this might include leaflets, web presence and other media.

Many of the recommendations are already in progress.  

Perhaps the most important element though would be the establishment of a stakeholder working group or project team - Assuming further in-principal interest from key stakeholders, with some key stakeholders already committed to progressing the concept further (cf. Longford County Development Plan) and others showing significant interest during consultation meetings for this report, a group should be formed to function as a means of agreeing roles in progressing the project and identifying a project development plan.

Early priorities for this group could be; developing a full stakeholder list & seeking consultation, developing a workable project brand, securing local authority and central government commitment to the concept, developing a strategic plan and identifying early project sites 

     Taking forward these recommednations will be down to ket decisionmakers at county and regional level and where Golden Eagle Trust can assist and advise we will input to ensure the project continues to develop into the future. It remains our vision to see a landscape scale wetland, with abundant wetland wildlife and huge benefits for people, restored in the mid-shannon region.