Delivery of Conservation Measures with focus on Rhododendron ponticum control within the Twelve Bens/Garraun Plateau, Maumturk Mountains, Connemara Bog Complex, Lough Corrib SACs Co Galway NCD-CA035

This Call for Tender (CfT) seeks a suitable contractor to further develop multi-actor community-led pilot projects, building on successful preliminary projects in counties Galway and SW Mayo in 2021 -2024, which seek to develop local capacity to implement ecosystem restoration actions. Although the primary focus will be Rhododendron control, further peatland restoration methods and actions will also be developed and implemented, along with the identification of pressures and threats in the target areas. An important goal is to develop capacity at a local level. It is hoped that tenders will cover the 1st year of a potential 3-year programme (subject to further funding; Appendix 1). The successful contractor will extend the existing Natura Communities initiative to include the Maumturk Mountains SAC and expand on works in progress within the Twelve Bens/Garraun Plateau, Connemara Bog Complex and Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex SACs and provide a provisional plan as to the threats and pressures in these respective areas in terms of SSCOs. Mapping of the threats and pressures such as Rhododendron ponticum, bare peat areas, drains, etc. of c.13,000 ha within target areas (Twelve Bens/Garraun Plateau - 1320 ha, Maumturk Mountains – 4777 ha, Connemara Bog Complex – 6929 ha) will be completed by June, 2026. Rhododendron control of c.264 ha within target areas (Twelve Bens/Garraun Plateau – 94 ha, Connemara Bog Complex – 75 ha, Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex - 95 ha) will be completed by October, 2025. There will also be re-treatment of target areas in these 3 sites of respectively 129 ha, 65 ha and 218 ha (Appendix 2). The control programme will be run in collaboration with the local community and relevant stakeholders. Completion of peatland restoration and measures to address peat erosion on blanket bog for a site (c. 60 ha) within the Twelve Bens/Garraun Plateau SAC (Appendix 8) Prepare Restoration Action Plans (RAPs) for blanket bog sites of c.120 ha in each of the Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex, Maumturk Mountains and Connemara Bog Complex SACs. To showcase peatland restoration methods and identify the most appropriate methodologies for engagement with communities and landowners in ecosystem restoration, a number of demonstration days (at least 4) will be organised for local communities and landowners by November, 2025. The foundations for successful delivery of the proposed actions will largely build on the current Natura Communities project. This work aimed to have a trained local work force (for delivery of the proposed works within the Connemara and SW Mayo peatland SACs). The development of these initiatives within targeted areas should enable the mapping of the spread of Rhododendron over time and allow us to monitor the progress of this type of approach. One of the failings of previous invasive species control programmes has been the lack of post monitoring or follow-up. With this approach, there should be the capacity to set up the administrative process within the relevant Natura Communities project for future initiatives. This proposal will work in tandem with other CfTs in NW Mayo and Donegal to develop a training programme within various communities on peatland restoration methods along the Atlantic seaboard.