PeacePlus Nature set to bring threatened wildlife back from the brink 

Threatened species, from Curlews and Corncrakes, to Merlins and Marsh Fritillaries, are set to benefit from a landmark €20.8 million cross-border conservation initiative.  

Over the next four years, PeacePlus Nature will work to protect and restore habitats, and support key species that are facing major declines across 23 sites in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, from the Fermanagh lakelands to the shores of Tory Island.

With biodiversity loss here ranking among the worst in the world, PeacePlus Nature seeks to ensure these species remain a living part of the landscape, not just a memory.  

PeacePlus Nature brings together nine organisations, led by RSPB NI. It is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Through working locally, PeacePlus Nature will benefit both nature and the community, ensuring a lasting impact for the communities and wildlife that share the landscapes.

Crucially, the project involves engagement with landowners, farmers and the local community, to equip them with the knowledge and power to support the nature on their doorsteps.  

One of the most vital habitats for nature is our peatlands. In the Antrim Hills, restoration efforts are underway to revitalise the landscape to create essential habitats for Hen Harriers, Curlews and Merlins. The work will help to ensure these ancient landscapes can continue to provide for generations to come. 

For many, the ‘Cry of the Curlew’ is a hallmark of the Irish countryside, yet these breeding waders have faced a steep decline. In Fermanagh, the recent purchase of Inishcreenry by RSPB NI marks a significant milestone, and will act as a flagship demonstration site to highlight how agriculture and nature recovery can work together. 

The work will also benefit rare insects. In the threatened limestone grasslands of Northern Ireland, Butterfly Conservation is tackling encroaching scrub to protect the Marsh Fritillary and the Cryptic Wood White butterflies. 

This work continues at RSPB Montiagh’s Moss, a vital stronghold for the Irish Damselfly. Through volunteer work parties and community surveys, local people are becoming the guardians of these delicate ecosystems.  

On the shores of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg, the focus is on practical land management. By introducing grazing and controlling scrub, the Lough Neagh Partnership is creating the perfect conditions for ground-nesting birds.  

Further west in Donegal, BirdWatch Ireland is working closely with the community on Tory Island. Here, local farmers are being empowered with the knowledge to safeguard nest sites for breeding waders, proving that the future of wildlife lies in the hands of those who live alongside it.

Whether it is trialling innovative early-cover habitats for Corncrakes on Rathlin Island or work to support Merlins in the uplands, these projects represent a bold investment in our shared future.  

The PeacePlus Nature Community Engagement Team will empower local communities to protect their natural heritage. Operating across the Antrim Hills, Fermanagh, and Lough Neagh, the PeacePlus Nature team will offer tailored workshops and an Environmental Leaders Programme. 

Through cross-border and cross-community collaboration, participants will develop practical skills in biodiversity and climate action, specifically focusing on peatland and wetland habitats. Schools, youth groups and adults will also be engaged in species recovery and volunteering, to help secure the lasting networks needed to address ongoing environmental challenges.

Welcoming the project launch, Joanne Sherwood, RSPB NI Director, said: 

“For the last 60 years, RSPB NI has worked tirelessly to ensure our home is richer in nature, and we are proud to be leading this game-changing €20.8 million PeacePlus Nature project. Together with our eight partners, this programme represents a major step forward in supporting iconic and endangered species such as Corncrakes, Curlews, Hen Harriers and Merlins across Northern Ireland and the border counties.

“We’re particularly excited about the acquisition of Inishcreenry farmland in County Fermanagh, which will play a vital role in breeding wader recovery. The creation of 49 new jobs across the projects include a dedicated Community Engagement Team who will be empowering young people to act for nature, proving that investing in nature is also an investment in people. It’s inspiring to see this shared vision becoming a reality.”

PeacePlus Nature brings together RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership,  NI Water and An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland.

To find out more about RSPB NI's work, visit our Northern Ireland  pages.