Conservation

Ballynahone Campaign postcard

Community Action and Grant Aid

Communities and individuals that live on and around peatland areas have an interest in the conservation and protection of such sites. The actions of local communities are playing an increasingly important role in the conservation of peatlands in Northern Ireland. Several community groups and associations have organised or contributed to campaigns that strived to protect peatland areas e.g. 'The Friends of Ballynahone Bog'.

The purchase of 400 acres of bog in Ballynahone by a peat milling company led to the formation of The Friends of Ballynahone in 1990. This local community group worked with environmental organisations and enlisted the support of David Bellamy to oppose the drainage and extraction of peat at the site. They also lobbied for the site to be legally protected .

In 1994 the Minister of the Environment revoked the planning permission to extract peat and within a year the site was designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). Ballynahone bog has since been designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Ramsar Site and is also a candidate Special Area of Conservation. The Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) has an agreement with Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) to manage the site. The Friends of Ballynahone Bog are still very much involved with the site and have representatives, along with EHS and UWT, on the management committee.

Local Councils also play an important role in the conservation of peatland in their district. Councils in Northern Ireland are major landowners and are therefore directly involved in the management and conservation of peatlands. Through the development of Local Agenda 21 and Local Biodiversity Action Plans, Councils can also encourage community groups and local residents to participate in peatland conservation and education initiatives.

In recognition of the important role that Councils play in delivering biodiversity conservation, EHS offers grant aid to Councils for the development of Local Biodiversity Action Plans, and/or the appointment of Local Biodiversity Officers. Grant aid is not limited to Councils because EHS also administers a grant aid scheme to support nature conservation projects. The aims of the scheme are to encourage the conservation of habitats and wildlife and also to provide facilities that allow more people to enjoy our natural heritage. The scheme has assisted several peatland conservation projects including the acquisition and management of key peatland sites e.g. Ballynahone Bog and the Bog Meadows which are currently managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust. Nature Conservation Organisations, District Councils and individuals can apply to EHS for grant aid for peatland or any other conservation projects.