LOTTERY funding of more than £500,000 has been awarded to two new natural heritage projects in Northern Ireland.
The grants will support a marine conservation project from Ulster Wildlife and will also reconnect people to the natural, cultural and built heritage of Drumnaph Nature Reserve, outside Maghera.
The Ulster Wildlife’s Sea Deep project, which has been awarded £208,000, will help protect the endangered shark, skate and ray species found in local seas.
It also aims to increase awareness and understanding of these populations and help identify methods to protect and restore these threatened species.
An award of £368,700 will go towards Drumnaph Nature Reserve, near Maghera, which will get new paths and routes. Heritage craft and archaeology days will also be held with volunteers recruited and trained in a range of conservation, biodiversity and rural skills.
Paul Mullan from HLF said: "Our natural heritage is under increasing pressure and if we are to protect it for future generations we must continue to invest in it.
"We are proud of the projects we have supported and of the huge difference this has already made to the natural environment in Northern Ireland.
"Now thanks to National Lottery players these two new projects are underway, helping to conserve and reconnect people to our amazing natural heritage."
