Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

41 Park Management Plans Council is developing Park Management Plans for key parks across the District, which will support our commitment to obtaining and maintaining Green Flag status in several parks, including the Grange Park, Omagh and in Broadmeadow, Enniskillen. An essential element of Park Management Plans will be to identify existing habitats and species that require protection and management. Such Plans will also seek out opportunities to enhance, restore and promote biodiversity to meet the Biodiversity Duty. Protecting Peatlands As recognised in this Strategy, peatlands are an important priority habitat in Fermanagh and Omagh and represent a significant portion of valuable peatlands for Northern Ireland. Through this Strategy, Council’s Climate Change and Sustainable Development Action Plan and through effective partnership working, the Council aims to protect and restore peatlands and degraded soils on Council estate where possible across the District. Existing projects which are making early strides to lead the way in peatland restoration are the joint initiatives with Collaboration Action Natura Network (CANN) (http:// thecannproject.org) . It includes 6 sites in the Council area and works closely alongside the Global Geopark on peatland restoration at Cuilcagh Anierin Mountain. We aim to eliminate the use of peat products for growing shrubs and flowers, and replace with peat free alternatives by 2024, as guided by national policy. As part of our ongoing biodiversity awareness raising, we will continue to encourage people to use peat free compost or to make their own compost at home, which complements our drive to reduce food waste. Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s) Local Nature Reserves are areas set aside for biodiversity, where people can enjoy wildlife. They offer impressive natural resources, making an important contribution to biodiversity. Local authorities have the sole power to declare Local Nature Reserves in Northern Ireland through the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order (NI) 1985, amended in 1989. So far, there are 3 LNRs in the District: Killyfole LNR, An Creagan Bog LNR and Tully Castle LNR. Each LNR site requires management and promotion. Council can have a role to play in this through assistance in their declaration, guidance in their management if required, and in some cases, responsibility for their management. However, in all cases, promotion of LNRs to the wider public is essential. Nature Recovery Networks Nature Recovery Networks or ecological networks are simply a connected grid of areas identified as important for wildlife and where potential exists to either restore or create habitats. Such areas can then be ‘linked up’ at local, national and international levels. Since September 2020, with generous funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Ulster Wildlife has been working in partnership with RSPB NI, National Trust and Woodland Trust on a project to build capacity to deliver NRNs in Northern Ireland. With assistance from key stakeholders, includingthe Council, the project will be producing the first set of national 9.6 Theme 6: Projects and Partnerships © Ulster Wildlife