Designated Areas

Identifying and protecting sites and areas of natural and semi-natural scientific interest and the flora and fauna they support has been a cornerstone of nature conservation action in the UK during the last 50 years.

Some sites are deemed of such importance that they are formally designated under various pieces of national and international legislation.  These sites should represent the best examples of natural and semi-natural ecosystems as well as the range of earth science features, and are protected and managed in order to conserve their special features.  They should also provide sites which are refuges and reservoirs for wildlife from which the wider countryside can benefit.

The Birds Directive requires the designation of areas of European importance for wild bird conservation as Special Protection Areas (SPAs).  Similarly, areas which support habitats and species deemed important in a European context must be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the Habitats Directive.  The implementation of the EC Birds and Habitats Directives, and in particular the designation of sites, forms part of the “Natura 2000” network.  

The obligations of the Ramsar Convention include the designation of qualifying wetland sites of international importance as Ramsar sites, as well as the promotion of the wise use of all wetlands.  

The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 provides much of the legislative basis for the protection of sites of importance to nature conservation in Northern Ireland.  The Order provides for such areas to be designated as Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs).   ASSIs are the major statutory mechanism for protecting sites of nature conservation importance and generally provide the underpinning protection measure for the designation of European sites.  The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order (NCALO) 1985 as amended by The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, legislates for National Nature Reserves (NNRs), Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).  

NNRs are selected and designated by NIEA not only because they represent good examples of habitats, species sites and earth science features but because they also provide valuable facilities for the public to enjoy, appreciate and learn about their wildlife.