Conservation Groups

Dragonfly Ireland 2019 – 2024

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Survey / Citizen Science

Dragonfly Ireland 2019 – 2024 is an all-Ireland survey of dragonflies and damselflies, and their habitats.

The survey is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in the Republic of Ireland and by the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in Northern Ireland.

Dragonfly Ireland 2019-2024 is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of a citizen science project focusing on aquatic species and their potential as bioindicators. The goals of Dragonfly Ireland include:

  • Collecting verified dragonfly and damselfly records, contributing to a 2024 Dragonfly Atlas.
  • Exploring the use of dragonflies and damselflies as bio-indicators of freshwater habitat quality.
  • Engaging with the public to increase awareness of water quality and climate change.
  • Developing and supporting a network of trained and experienced dragonfly recorders in Ireland.

Dragonfly Ireland will also generate important information on some of Ireland’s small water bodies. Despite the widespread nature of small water bodies in the Irish landscape, they are a poorly understood habitat, and little is known about their ecological value. Collecting data on habitats and the associated dragonfly and damselfly fauna will help to fill this knowledge gap.

The project offers three levels of participation to volunteers:

  • Dragonfly Spotter encourages the submission of casual sightings of any Dragonfly or Damselfly species.
  • Dragonfly Recorder asks volunteers to conduct timed surveys of a freshwater site, record all dragonfly and damselfly species present, estimate their numbers, and assess their habitat. Two surveys must be completed, one in May/June and the second between July and September.
  • Dragonfly Monitor asks volunteers to conduct a minimum of four surveys at their local site, and to repeat site surveys annually.

Learn more: 

If you would like to participate in Dragonfly Ireland 2019 – 2024 further information is available at:
www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/dragonflyireland-
2019-2024/


Sightings of Dragonflies and Damselflies in Northern Ireland can be
submitted at: www2.habitas.org.uk/records/dragonflies

Salmon Watch

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Salmon Watch Ireland has launched a Complaint to the Commission of European Communities.

This complaint focuses on Sections of the Fisheries Act 1997 which permits the continuation of salmon farm licences which have expired.

Salmon Farming:Complaint to the Commission of the European Communities about the Government of Ireland’s failure to comply with Community law.

Pearl Mussel Project (Latest Annual Report)

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The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is a mussel species of clean rivers that is on the verge of extinction in Ireland and western Europe due to intensification of land use. The Pearl Mussel Project (PMP) is a locally led European Innovation Partnership (EIP) whereby local farmers, researchers, and advisors are working together to develop a programme to ensure long term coexistence of farming and freshwater pearl mussel in eight priority catchment areas in the west of Ireland.

A results based agri-environmental programme.

The programme will be an opportunity for farmers to be recognized and financially rewarded for delivering environmental benefits. Environmental targets will be set for individual farmers. They can then choose the most appropriate management to achieve that environmental target. Payments reflect the level of achievement based on a result that is measured in the field.

Click to access pmp-annual-report-2020-v4.pdf