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Swanscombe Peninsula gets national recognition as an SSSI
Site is designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for nationally important invertebrates, breeding birds, plants and geology.
From: Chalk carpet moth - picture: Stuart Reed
A valuable green space in the shadow of the M25, abundant in wildlife and with huge benefits for people, has today been designated a SSSI in recognition of its national importance for rare wildlife.
The 250 hectare site, alongside the Thames Estuary, forms a corridor of habitats connecting Ebbsfleet Valley with the southern shore of the River Thames between Dartford and Gravesend.
The site has an incredible assortment of grassland, scrub, wetlands, grazing marsh and saltmarsh habitat in a relatively small area, providing ideal conditions for a unique variety of wildlife.
Iriseoir Fise
Farmers are being encouraged to look at alternatives to gorse burning in an effort to protect the habitat of the hen harrier.
New conservation trials are using horses and goats to keep gorse under control, in the hope the approach will lead to better habitats for the threatened bird of prey.
Under the project, trial zones have been fenced off on selected farms and stocked with both goats and horses.
The animals target gorse and brambles and other scrub.
It is hoped that will illustrate the value of traditional methods and lead to effective and sustainable upland management.
Minister Noonan brings Prioritised Action Framework to Cabinet
Minister Noonan this morning sought Government approval for Ireland’s second “Prioritised Action Framework”. This document sets out Ireland’s priorities for habitat and species protection and restoration in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas in the period 2021-2027, for formal submission to the European Commission in line with Article 8 of the Habitats Directive.
In accordance with Article 8.2 of the Habitats Directive, the European Commission is required, in agreement with Member States, to assess the financing – including the co-financing – that is required to maintain or restore protected habitats and species listed in the EU Nature Directives. This is to be reflected in Prioritised Action Frameworks for each Member State, which in turn are to have regard to the available sources of funding under relevant EU funding instruments.
February 24, 2021 8:01 pm
Long runs the fox as Shared Environmental Services (SES) continues to evade calls to provide evidence to a key Stormont Committee.
Previously staff working for the Stormont committee said it has been “difficult” to get responses from the environmental planning quango.
During the meeting on February 11, the committee warned it could be forced to use its legal powers to compel SES to attend.
In the most recent meeting (held on February 18) members heard that despite further efforts by the committee clerk to contact the organisation, no response had been received.
The clerk explained she had offered the three dates following immediately after the Assembly’s Easter Recess, which ends on April 11. The dates were April 15, 22 and 29.