A new €8.3 million EU-funded environmental protection project has been launched to restore natural habitats and protect endangered species throughout Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland.

The 'Collaborative Action for the Natura Network' (CANN) scheme will be led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Consisting of a team of leading scientists, researchers, local authorities, charities and community organisations, the CANN Project Team will implement strategies to improve the condition of valuable habitats and help protect the wildlife that lives there. In addition, they will work with local people and communities to manage the unique peatland and wetland landscapes along with their iconic species.

Overall, the project will focus on seven protected habitats, as well as seven priority species. Locally, designated sites at Lecale Fens and Turmennan are set to benefit.

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The project's launch event was held in the Nuremore Hotel, Co Monaghan on Tuesday, 12 June.

Welcoming the project, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Mark Murnin, said: "We are proud to lead this important new project. It will help raise awareness among cross-border communities about the potential threats to natural habitats and endangered species in their area.

"Cross-border collaboration is the most effective way for us to protect, improve, restore and sustain the threatened habitats and species in our shared regions."

Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said: "The EU is committed to the protection of our shared natural environment across Europe as demonstrated through its Birds and Habitats Directives. Under the current INTERREG VA Programme approximately €84 million has been allocated to support a wide-range of cross-border environmental protection projects.

"This project, CANN, will serve to further this European environmental policy by improving the conservation status of 3,150 hectares of natural habitats found across Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland."

As well as being funded by the EU's INTERREG VA Programme, match-funding has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in Ireland, and Scottish Natural Heritage.

(LM/MH)