On behalf of the Collaborative Action for the Natura Network (CANN), Ulster Wildlife sought to appoint an experienced economic operator with the appropriate adapted lower ground pressure wide track excavators to construct and install peat only and peat/timber dams at raised bogs within six raised bog Special Areas of Conservation) in Northern Ireland between 2020 and 2021. Some associated scrub removal was required at some sites.
The overall aim of the drain blocking is to maintain or restore these priority habitats and assist Ulster Wildlife, and the CANN project, to meet its stated target of moving these sites toward favourable conservation status. The drain blocking programme has been designed by the RPS Group following analysis of LiDAR, DTM and DSM data acquired for all sites.
CANN is an Interreg VA funded project led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
94 peat dams and associated scrub removal.
337 dams (mix of peat and peat/timber) and associated scrub removal.
Installation of peat dams across three SACs.
Installation of peat dams on raised bog.