Key Species Project

The Trust is now well into the third and final year of the ‘Key Species Project’, which aims to ensure successful delivery of biodiversity action for the recovery of a range of key species across Northern Ireland. The project is funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and is set to continue until May 2010.

Year one species included:

• Harbour porpoise
• Basking Shark
• Common Skate

Years two and three have seen the focus shift to plants, though work will continue on four native animals. Current species of focus are:

• Blue eyed grass
• Small cow-wheat
• River water-crowfoot
• Meadow cranesbill
• Wood cranesbill
• Heath cudweed
• Fen violet
• Juniper
• Barn owl
• Red squirrel
• Otter
• Irish hare

These species count among a list of roughly 270 Priority Species in Northern Ireland, each one considered under threat and in need of specific conservation action. For each, a Species Action Plan exists: a government document outlining the conservation targets for Priority Species, with recommended actions for achieving these.

To view the Species Action Plans for the 'Key Species' and other Priority Species, click here.

To find out more about progress for Key Species please contact Maeve Rafferty on 028 4483 3966 or email maeve.rafferty@ulsterwildlifetrust.org