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Safe and Sound
Portmore Lough is a protected site
Northern Ireland's network of ASSIs (Areas of Special Scientific Interest) needs care and attention and a large number remain in unfavourable condition. Support our Safe and Sound campaign and help make a difference.
What's an ASSI?
Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) are areas of land that have been identified by scientific survey as being of the highest degree of conservation value. Examples of ASSIs include Lough Neagh, Giants Causeway and the RSPB reserve at Belfast Lough.
However, there are many less famous, yet equally important ASSIs spread out across the whole of Northern Ireland, important for wildlife and geology, amongst other features.
What state are our ASSIs in?
Many of our habitats remain under threat. When we launched Safe and Sound in 2005, only 212 ASSIs had been declared in Northern Ireland - and 6 per cent of the land area protected.
Today, latest figures reveal that approximately 280 ASSIs are designated. That is on average, approximately 17 designations per year since 2005. We believe that the pace of site designations needs to increase.
In addition to this, many of the ASSIs currently designated remain in an unfavourable condition. A lack of management of these special sites is seriously compromising our wildlife and their habitats.
How you can help
We're asking everyone to write to their local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). Find out the details and get involved by clicking on the 'What you can do' link on the left of the page.