Derry lies along the southern margins of the Bellacorick Bog Complex Special Area of Conservation. This SAC is one of the largest blanket bog-dominated SACs in the country and thus ranks as one of the most important blanket bog landscapes in Europe. Extensive tracts of high quality, open blanket bog habitat adjoin the property along its northern, eastern and southern margins.

The property is dominated by approximately 180 hectares of poorly productive conifers which were planted in the mid-1980's. Although the trees have achieved a closed-canopy in places, a blanket bog flora still persists locally. These conifers will be felled to waste in order to restore a blanket bog flora. Subsequently, the felled conifers will be placed into "wind-rows" by machine, in order to maximise the area of open ground for bog restoration. Any significant drains will also be blocked in order to raise the water levels within the peat. Within the property there are also small areas, i.e. c. 15 ha, of unnafforested habitats, mainly wet blanket bog and lowland oligotrophic lake, scattered throughout.