Delivery of Conservation Measures with a focus on control of Rhododendron in Twelve Bens/Garraun Plateau SAC , Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex SAC Maumturk Mountains SAC and the Connemara Bog Complex

Description

This Call for Tender seeks a contractor to implement works as part of a multi-actor, community embedded ecosystem restoration programme. Building on pilot projects, 2021 to 2025, in Galway, Mayo, and Donegal, the contractor will focus on delivering peatland restoration whilst also building local capacity to address threats to peatland habitats, including Rhododendron ponticum, within the Connemara/SW Mayo region. Constructive engagement with farmers and landowners is a crucial element of this contract. Scope of work and deliverables The successful contractor will be responsible for delivering the following core pillars, Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Lead extensive formal and informal engagement with landowners, local authorities, NPWS and ACRES CP teams. This includes informing and engaging landowners, managing expressions of interest, EOIs, for peatland restoration, collaborating on a training programme for restoration methods, and upskilling personnel including farmers in the implementation of restoration actions, as appropriate. Surveying and Mapping: Complete comprehensive mapping of threats, invasive species, drainage, bare peat, across 15 high-priority sub catchments by 30th September 2026, see Appendix. This data will inform Site Specific Conservation Objectives, SSCOs, and blanket bog Provisional Restoration Requirements PRRs. PRRs are a new NPWS approach to identifying and prioritising areas with the highest restoration potential. Invasive Species Management: Implement Rhododendron control across c.300ha and re-treatment of c.190ha across the Twelve Bens, Connemara Bog, Mweelrea,Sheeffry,Erriff, and Maumturk Mountains SACs see Appendix.Peatland Restoration Planning: In partnership with LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature, oversee the restoration of c.70ha of blanket bog in Connemara following a detailed Restoration Action Plan. A draft Restoration Action Plan will be available to the successful contractor. Furthermore, the contractor will engage a hydro-ecologist or other suitably qualified person to develop three site-specific restoration plans covering c.250ha of blanket bog. Replacement of Rhododendron hedgerow: Manage a pilot scheme to replace Rhododendron hedgerows with native species and establish monitoring protocols for soil recovery in cleared areas. Tenderers should price for approximately 450m of hedgerow replacement. Communication, dissemination and networking: The successful tenderer will share information and findings from the project and engage in knowledge exchange with relevant stakeholders including other Natura Communities projects, Local Authorities, NPWS, FarmUP EIP, and others. This Call for Tender invites proposals from qualified contractors to further develop a multi-actor, community-led ecosystem restoration project, which is building on successful preliminary projects across Donegal, Mayo, and Galway refer to Appendix 5. Building on the foundational work established between 2021 and 2025, this contract focuses on scaling local capacity to execute restoration actions, primarily targeting Rhododendron ponticum control and broader peatland restoration. All actions must align with Site Specific Conservation Objectives SSCOs and address identified environmental pressures within the target areas. The successful tenderer will be responsible for: Convening and facilitating a Project Steering Group comprising relevant stakeholders and technical advisors. Appointing a dedicated Project Coordinator to manage the development and implementation of the Conservation Measures programme. Providing comprehensive technical and administrative support, including specialist ecological advice on Rhododendron management, GIS mapping, and the provision of all necessary training materials and equipment. Maintaining continuous engagement with local landowners and community actors to ensure transparency and maximise participation.