Dragons in the Hills: Exploring Northern Ireland’s Little Dragons
The Dragons in the Hills project received £100,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It aimed to study Northern Ireland’s native amphibians and reptiles, including the common frog, common lizard, and smooth newt. These species are vital to our environment. However, two are priority species due to declining numbers. Before this project, we knew little about their habitats, population sizes, or how they’re coping with environmental changes.
The project focused on the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark. It aimed to map where these animals live. This data will help land managers create and connect habitats, offering more space for the species to thrive.
Dragons in the Hills worked closely with local communities in this historic landscape. This includes the volcanic Ring of Gullion, the Mourne Mountains, and the Strangford and Lecale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
The project connected people to their natural and historic heritage. Locals explored “small places” to spot frog spawn and tadpoles. Others were lucky to see darting lizards.
“Adders are Amazing” project
Dragons in the Hills: Connecting Nature, Myth, and Community
Building on the success of ARG UK’s Adders are Amazing project, Dragons in the Hills took a creative approach to conservation. It blended arts, crafts, music, and storytelling. The project combined the magic of myths and legends with the beauty of nature. Through this, our “dragons” – the common frog, smooth newt, and common lizard – became symbols of wonder and inspiration.
The goal was to encourage local communities and landowners to appreciate and protect their natural heritage. By understanding and respecting these small but important creatures, we hoped to inspire new wildlife champions to safeguard them for the future.
Dragons in the Hills was a collaborative project led by ARG UK, Newry Mourne and Down District Council and The Herpetological Society of Ireland generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
