Natural Heritage Areas

Natural Heritage Areas were established under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 and represent the basic designation for wildlife protection. They were derived from Areas of Scientific Interest (ASI) and include some of the best remaining areas of Ireland’s natural and semi-natural habitats. Sites may have been selected on the basis of having special scientific significance for one or more species, communities, habitats, landforms, geological or geomorphological features, or a diversity of natural attributes. Depending on their quality and significance, NHAs or parts of them may have other designations such as Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), Statutory Nature Reserve (NR), Refuge for Fauna and Flora (RFF) or National Park (NP). For more details on sites in County Donegal, see: www.npws.ie  

Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) in County Donegal