The Kildare County Council Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031 is a 116-page publication that sets out the county's vision and practical actions for protecting, restoring and enhancing biodiversity over the next five years. Developed by Kildare County Council in collaboration with biodiversity experts and local stakeholders, the document provides a roadmap for safeguarding habitats, supporting native wildlife and encouraging communities to become active participants in nature conservation.
I was commissioned to design the publication and create a series of bespoke wildlife spot illustrations that appear throughout the document. From the overall page layout and typography to the visual hierarchy and illustration style, every element was carefully considered to produce a publication that is both informative and engaging. The illustrations help break up technical content, guide the reader through the document and reinforce the biodiversity themes explored in each section.
For a publication of this scale, clarity, consistency and accessibility were essential, ensuring that the information is easy to navigate for a wide audience, including local authorities, environmental professionals, educators, community groups and anyone with an interest in Ireland's natural heritage.
The publication also features beautiful cover artwork and chapter-opening illustrations by the talented Katherine Geoghegan, whose expressive paintings celebrate the diversity of Kildare's landscapes and wildlife. Together, the illustrations and design create a cohesive publication that reflects the importance of biodiversity while making complex environmental information approachable and visually engaging.
Projects like this combine two of my favourite disciplines: editorial design and wildlife illustration. They demonstrate how thoughtful visual communication can support conservation, public engagement and environmental education, helping important biodiversity initiatives reach a wider audience and inspire positive action.
