Management planning, conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sites Suzanne Nally, NPWS, DAHG Suzanne Nally National Parks and Wildlife Service 6 May, 2016 Irish Rural Link Conference, Moate, Co. Westmeath

Role of NPWS, DAHG Conservation of ecosystems to maintain and enhance populations of flora and fauna in Ireland Designate and advise on the protection of habitats and species Implementation of National and EU legislation and policies for nature conservation and biodiversity Manage and develop State-owned National Parks and Nature Reserves Promote awareness of natural heritage and biodiversity issues

Nature and Biodiversity- European/National Policy EU Habitats Directive EU Birds Directive -both pillars of nature legislation Natura 2000 –network of protected sites of rare species/habitat Many wetlands habitats and species in Europe protected through Natura 2000 network UN Convention on Biological Diversity/Living in Harmony with Nature Strategic Plan EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive Urban waste water treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) Nitrate Directive (91/676/EEC) Flood Risk Management Directive Water Framework Directive (20/60/EC) 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance European Ramsar Strategy 2015 Wildlife Acts

Natural Capital National Biodiversity Plan Biodiversity Vision: ‘That Biodiversity and ecosystems in Ireland are conserved and restored, delivering benefits essential for all sectors of society and that Ireland contributes to efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems in the EU and globally’ Biodiversity, ecosystems, wetlands all part of our Natural Capital Economic Value and Social Aspects of Biodiversity (2008) €2.6 billion per annum Forestry €55m Fisheries €50m

Benefits of Wetlands Importance for biodiversity Improved water quality High importance to agriculture, fisheries and timber production Flood attenuation Energy resource Recreation and tourism Habitat for wildlife Reduced Carbon Emissions Cultural Heritage

NPWS and Wetlands Irelands Ramsar Wetlands Committee Promotion of wetlands/developing policy Farming and Wetlands Guidance National Wetlands Day Raised Bog Restoration Projects (Coillte/DAHG) Surveys Raised Bog Monitoring Survey Research Studies on Irish Wetlands Clara/Girley Bog/Ballnafagh Castlepollard fen (Ireland's largest fen-amenity access through part of the site) Turloughs/Petrifying Springs

Protected Peatlands 6% of earth surface covered in Wetlands and 30% of those are bogs (UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre) Wetlands are dynamic- often composed of many different habitat types and species Obligation to manage all peatlands (NHA and SAC) in a manner that sustains them in environmental terms Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated by Member States under the Habitats Directive Special Protection Areas (SPAs) which are designated under the 1979 Birds Directive. Natural Heritage Areas

Pressures on Raised Bog Network 50% of wetlands globally has disappeared in the last century Drainage of habitat or surrounding wetland habitats Land reclamation Peat Harvesting Commercial Forestry Burning Other activities which lower the groundwater level eg quarrying Result: Hydrological integrity compromised, leads to cracking, collapse, bursts etc

Active Raised Bog in Irelands SAC Network Active Raised Bog (ARB)- Priority Habitat under Annex 1 of Habitats Directive ARB= Living, actively growing upper layer of a raised bog- surface composed living bog mosses which form peat due to their incomplete decomposition under waterlogged conditions Conservation Status- unfavourable bad to declining How to improve?

Previous NPWS Peatlands Restoration Projects Lisnageeragh Raised Bog SAC, Galway 13.2 ha of DRB being restored to ARB between 2004 and 2012 Killyconney Bog SAC Good results- improvement in ARB

Examples of Peatland Restoration Projects Site NameOrganisation/(Co-Funding) Estimated increase in ARB due to restoration works in the 2004/5 to period (ha) Lisnageeragh NPWS/Coillte (EU Cohesion/LIFE)13.2 Carrownagappul NPWS (EU Cohesion)9.9 Garriskil NPWS5.5 Ballykenny NPWS (EU Cohesion)5.1 Carn Park Coillte (EU LIFE)1.1 Raheenmore NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.8 Cloonshanville Coillte (EU LIFE)0.7 Ballyduff NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.6 Fisherstown NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.5 Kilsallagh Coillte (EU LIFE)0.5 Clonfinane NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.3 Mongan NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.1

Killyconny Bog Restoration Results

Vision for Peatlands National Peatlands Strategy aims to provide a long-term framework within which all of the peatlands within the State can be managed responsibly in order to optimise their social, environmental and economic contribution to the well-being of this and future generations Peatlands Council National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan Conservation objectives Addressing needs of landowners/users Working with Partners- Coillte/BNM/EPA Bord Na Mona Biodiversity Management Plan Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Management of Natura 2000 sites Article 6 of Habitats Directive “appropriate conservation measures to maintain and restore the habitats and species for which the site has been designated to a favourable conservation status; Avoid damaging activities that could significantly disturb these species or deteriorate the habitats of the protected species or habitat types.”

Management of Natura 2000 sites Landowner and land user involvement Scientific underpinning Use of local knowledge to fill the gaps Acknowledgement of long term commitment Information and Education Exchange of best practice Supports Alternative Land uses/Innovative practices Compromise and Coalition Training and Development

EU LIFE Programme EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action Contributing to EU Nature Policies Improving conservation status of habitat types of Community importance (EU Habitats Directive) Examples of best-practice/demonstration Contributing policy relevant knowledge & data

LIFE Natura 2000 project examples European Wide- many examples for Wetland Sites- 120 LIFE Wetland projects Ireland Coillte LIFE projects Burren LIFE Kerry LIFE Aran LIFE Active Raised Bog LIFE- Restoring SAC network

Active Raised Bog Restoration LIFE Project Overview Project Funding: €5.4m (75% EU funded) Coordinating Beneficiary: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 12 SACs Location: Border, Midlands, Mid-East and West Regions

Project Sites- 12 SACs

Project Objective To improve the conservation status in Ireland of the priority habitat Active Raised Bogs through the protection and restoration of the SAC Network Support the objectives of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan/National Peatlands Strategy

Key Actions Implementation of Best Practice Conservation Actions in 12 SACs Promoting Active Raised Bog Formation Removal of problematic trees and shrubs Fire Protection Plans Engagement with Stakeholders/Landowners Local Community Involvement (Stakeholder Advisory Panel/Project Steering Group)

Benefits of Restoration Measures Enable nature conservation targets for Active Raised Bog (ARB) for the SACs to be met Support Priority Habitats and Species Bio- diversity Accumulate Peat again Carbon Storage/Emission Recreation Socio-economic/local community Awareness Raising Water Quality

Other Benefits Heightened general public awareness of the importance and uniqueness of Ireland's 53 raised bog SACs Financial injection and employment opportunities for rural communities Demonstration of best practice

Expected Impacts 2649ha of raised bog habitat within the 12 SACs sites to be improved by restoration 476ha of Active Raised Bog at start of project Ultimate target area of 753ha for Active Raised Bog on the 12 project sites

Stakeholder Consultation Consultation before any restoration works begin Local knowledge importance

Clara Bog- Boardwalk

Sample Bog Bridge

Project Promotion/Public Awareness Information Days Annual Bog Walk Local Schools Programme

Conclusion Wetlands part of our Natural Capital Numerous Benefits LIFE Projects: examples of successful management of Natura 2000 sites Largest Peatlands Restoration Project being undertaken at present in Ireland Improved conservation condition of a priority habitat Community/Stakeholder Engagement is important element of conservation management

Thank You