Client: National Parks and Wildlife Service

A suite of 13 undesignated woodland sites were identified for investigation between 2021 and 2023. This was conducted through targeted survey, establishment of baseline monitoring, reassessment of the conservation value of the sites and compilation of documents necessary for the consideration of designation of these sites as Natural Heritage Areas. Of particular note in Ireland are oak-ash-hazel woodlands (WN2, as described in Fossitt 2000) and monitoring criteria were developed for these. Presence of ‘Woodland and Scrub’ was the main reason for these sites being considered for designation but invariably the sites included a number of additional NHA Themes including high quality grassland, rivers, lakes and rare plants. Assessment criteria were implemented for recording Ash Dieback, the occurrence of old-growth forest and information on the site boundaries following guidelines provided by NPWS. Details were recorded on pressures, threats and activities as well as the conservation measures that are considered necessary to improve the conservation value of the sites and site specific conservation objectives were developed. Data for the 13 sites were presented in NHA Forms, site synopses and through a project Irish Wildlife Manual.