Saturday, 13 September 2025
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced funding of more than £3.2 million for nature recovery projects across Northern Ireland, part of a broader effort to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support local environmental initiatives through its Environment Fund. The funding is being delivered through the Nature Recovery Challenge Fund, a […]
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced funding of more than £3.2 million for nature recovery projects across Northern Ireland, part of a broader effort to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support local environmental initiatives through its Environment Fund.
The funding is being delivered through the Nature Recovery Challenge Fund, a competitive grant programme launched earlier this year, aimed at enabling not-for-profit organisations and councils to deliver on key environmental priorities.
Total committed funding: Over £3.2 million through to 2027/28.
This financial year (2024/25): £1.4 million allocated to support 9 projects.
2025/26 onwards: A further £382,000 allocated to 2 additional projects, starting with £323,000 in 2025/26.
Commenting on the funding, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said:
“Urgent action is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity decline and these projects will give a much-needed boost to our nature from hills to woodlands and from rivers to loughs.”
He added:
“My department will be supporting 11 projects that will help restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity, promote species recovery and contribute to the global movement to protect 30% of land and ocean areas for nature by 2030.”
The following projects were selected for their potential to contribute meaningfully to biodiversity and ecosystem recovery:
Journey to 30×30 – Belfast Hills Partnership
Crumlin River Green Corridor – Belfast Hills Partnership
CLMS Habitat Machinery – RSPB Northern Ireland
Faughan Valley Woodlands Nature Recovery – Woodland Trust NI
Habitat Improvements for Protected Species at Montiaghs Moss and Portmore Lough
Roots to Recovery, Cultivating Woodland Resilience – National Trust
FODC Oak Woodland Restoration – Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Belfast is Making Space For Nature, Nature Recovery Network – Belfast City Council
ELASMO (Electrosensory Lab for Adaptive Species Management in the Ocean) – Queen’s University Belfast
Carr Island – RSPB Northern Ireland (Tranche 2)
Bio-secure Ports: Small Harbour Protection – Causeway Coast and Glens Council (Tranche 2)
These projects span a wide range of initiatives including woodland restoration, river corridor protection, habitat enhancement for protected species, and marine research.
Some of the funded projects, like Queen’s University Belfast’s ELASMO, show how cutting-edge science is being applied to species management. Innovations in electrosensory monitoring, remote sensing, and GIS-based conservation planning are transforming how we understand and protect nature.
This science-driven approach allows:
More accurate species tracking
Better habitat intervention planning
Evidence-based policymaking
Such partnerships between government, academia, and NGOs are laying the groundwork for smarter conservation.
This investment will support delivery of Northern Ireland’s Environmental Improvement Plan and help advance global and local commitments, particularly the 30×30 target—a commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
The Nature Recovery Challenge Fund also reflects DAERA’s broader mission to:
Support ecosystem restoration
Promote species recovery
Encourage community-level action on climate and biodiversity
Northern Ireland faces unique ecological challenges compared to other parts of the UK. Decades of land-use change, pollution, and invasive species have degraded habitats across the region. Recent reports, including the State of Nature NI, show that 11% of species assessed are at risk of extinction, and nearly half of all monitored species have declined in recent decades.
Nature recovery efforts like the ones funded by DAERA are essential to:
Reconnect fragmented habitats
Revive pollinator populations
Restore peatlands and wetlands critical for carbon storage
Mitigate flood risks in vulnerable regions
This funding marks a significant step in Northern Ireland’s commitment to tackling biodiversity loss and protecting the natural environment for future generations. With over £3.2 million now earmarked for targeted recovery efforts, DAERA’s initiative empowers local organisations and councils to make measurable, lasting impacts on land, water, and marine ecosystems across the region.
As Minister Muir concluded, the volume and quality of project proposals are a sign of growing momentum in the environmental sector:
“It is extremely encouraging to receive so many applications from organisations carrying out vital work to deliver nature recovery.”
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