Coordination of pilot community-led peatland restoration programme with a focus on rhododendron in Connemara and southwest Mayo.

Description

LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature are developing a multi-actor community-led pilot project, which seeks to develop local capacity to implement habitat restoration actions in and adjacent to three SACs in counties Mayo and Galway. It builds on a successful preliminary project based in the Bundorragha catchment in Co. Mayo in 2022. Although the primary focus will be rhododendron control, a training module for further peatland restoration methods will also be developed. This request for tender seeks a suitable contractor to run the community-led project. It aims to extend the current rhododendron control programme within the Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex SAC to the greater SAC and to targeted areas within the Connemara Bog Complex SAC and the Twelve Bens and Garraun Complex SAC. It also seeks to expand local capacity to implement other peatland restoration actions such as fencing, drain management and conifer removal. Collaboration with the local community and relevant stakeholders, is an integral part of the proposal as well as collaboration with the other working groups of similar projects throughout the region. A key remit of LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature is to source complementary funding outside of this core project budget and in the context of this request for tender, these works are being funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Tenders are invited for a suitable contractor to deliver all aspects of this project over the course of the next year.