Muir launches draft Strategy to protect nature for future generations
Members of the public are to be consulted on a draft Nature Recovery Strategy to restore, manage and protect Northern Ireland’s habitats for future generations.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir launched a public consultation today on the draft strategy, which sets out how the Department will meet international and national ambitions on biodiversity up to 2032.
South Down MP Chris Hazzard has welcomed the strategy (see comments below).
Nature is in decline across the world, including Northern Ireland, where many habitats and species are under threat with 40% of the flora and fauna in our most protected sites falling short of ‘favourable condition’ standards.
Only one of 49 priority habitat types in Northern Ireland are considered to be at favourable conservation status (fourth UK Habitats Directive Report), while one in nine (12%) of Northern Ireland species are currently threatened with extinction (State of Nature 2023).
Launching the public consultation, Minister Muir said: “Northern Ireland has some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and precious habitats.
“Our society continues to exert growing pressures on the natural environment, making it imperative to adopt a collective and comprehensive approach to reverse and prevent further decline.
“This Strategy has been developed by my Department to provide support not only for designated sites but for the wider countryside as well.”
The Minister added: “Nature can recover if we start recognising its value, stop doing things that harm it, and treat it with the respect it deserves.
“While we have a long way to go to halt and reverse current trends we can take heart from recent conservation successes, such as the breeding wader recovery project in the Antrim Hills and Lough Erne, the peatland restoration project at Mullaghcarn, and the Life-Raft project to protect native species on Rathlin Island.
“These initiatives demonstrate how collaboration and leadership can deliver practical action to halt and reverse the decline of nature.
“I look forward to receiving input from stakeholders and the wider public on this proposed Strategy, to help drive decisive action to on restoring and regenerating biodiversity so that future generations can live in a thriving natural environment.”
The draft Nature Recovery Strategy contains five strategic objectives and clear actions to help deliver transformation across government, business and society to safeguard and restore nature and biodiversity.
This includes actions that have already been agreed or are in development in existing strategies and policies, as well as additional new actions that have been identified to further promote nature restoration.
The proposed additional actions for 2026 include:
- Publishing a Tree Planting Action Plan
- Development of a new All-Ireland Pollinator Plan for 2026-30
- Development of a Protected Sites Delivery Plan
- Publishing a Plastic Pollution Plan
- Launching a Public Consultation on Northern Ireland’s first Clean Air Strategy
- Publishing the report on latest Northern Ireland Countryside Survey (2022-2025)
When preparing for the delivery of this strategy, DAERA will work to convene a Nature Recovery Forum to oversee its successful implementation.
The Strategy and Consultation documents are available on the DAERA website:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/draft-nature-recovery-strategy-daera.
Responses should be submitted before the deadline on 18 March 2026.
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Mournes must be protected for future generations says Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the Mournes must be protected as visitor numbers increase and the area becomes an increasingly popular tourist attraction.
The South Down MP was speaking following a meeting with Forever Mournes representatives at Fofanny Dam and Ott Mountain.
He said: “The Mournes are not only a hugely popular cultural landmark but also a hive of ecological activity, making the area a genuine national treasure.
“The ‘Kingdom of Mourne’ is home to sensitive habitats that sustain unique biodiversity and shape our local identity. As more people come to experience this incredible landscape, we have a responsibility to protect it.
“Recently we have seen visitor numbers grow significantly to approximately half a million each year. While this is a great boost for our local tourism and hospitality businesses, it is placing greater pressure on an already vulnerable area.
“Building a truly sustainable future for the Mournes means balancing access with protection so that future generations can continue to enjoy this remarkable landscape.
Mr Hazzard also reiterated his long-standing call for the Mournes to be formally recognised with regional asset status, describing such a designation by the Stormont Executive as a ‘game-changer’ for securing the sustainable investment and government focus the area urgently needs.
“Sinn Féin is committed to working with local communities, farmers and environmental bodies to ensure tourism growth is matched with sustainable investment and protection for fragile ecosystems.”
