Grenaby Garey has been announced as the latest Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man.

The Garey, a Manx word for marshy grassland, is 75 hectares and is the largest remaining area of its kind in the south of the island.

A number of bird species, such as curlew and grasshopper warbler, breed on the site, as well as several rare plant species including whorled caraway, heath spotted orchid, ragged robin, and marsh arrowgrass.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ’We must take care of our nature and environment. Grenaby Garey has been designated ASSI because the special habitat provides breeding sites for birds like the curlew and several rare plants and orchids, which are all under threat of decline.

’It is essential that we recognise the importance of our natural environment and that we safeguard these habitats and species for future generations.

’Management agreements will assist land owners to continue with low-intensity farming and at the same time maintain the special biodiversity and ecosystem functions this area provides.’

Grazing helps to maintain the marshy grassland and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture offers landowners’ management agreements to assist with the maintenance of the land.

The Courier asked whether that would mean that farmers would get extra money to fund that, but the DEFA did not respond by the time we went to press.