A ban on cutting hedgerows and burning land has come into effect and will last until the end of August.
Over the next few weeks and months, birds and mammals - many of which are endangered - will be busy trying to find a mate, nest and rear their young.
Under the Wildlife Act, the ban on cutting hedgerows, which is in effect until 31 August, is aimed at giving birds and animals the best chance to breed successfully.
There are a number of exemptions to the ban, including the summertime trimming of hedges "in the ordinary course of gardening" and the cutting of roadside hedges to prevent obstruction of drivers.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said it is taking cases of wildlife crime seriously and has urged people to protect hedgerow and upland habitats.
It said there were 32 prosecutions for wildlife crime last year, with two so far this year and 60 cases pending.
It comes as firefighters in Co Kerry were last night battling to stop gorse fires spreading out of control. Fire crews there have responded to 56 hill fires in the last three days.
Hill fire still burning out of control over Dún Chaoin #WestKerry . Additional crews have now arrived from Killorglin and Tralee to support the Dingle firemen. They say they are exhausted. Fighting these fires for the past week. pic.twitter.com/ObJY1EM6zI
— Seán Mac an tSíthigh (@Buailtin) March 1, 2023
Minister of State at the Department of Housing Malcolm Noonan said there are disturbing reports of fires being deliberately lit.
These fires damage nature, worsen air pollution and impact people's health, he said.
He said Ireland is experiencing a biodiversity crisis and urged people to play their part in making space for nature to survive and thrive.
New technologies - including aerial monitoring - are being implemented as part of efforts to protect nature, while more rangers are on the ground in National Parks across the country.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Noonan said there are "more boots on the ground" than ever before to tackle cases of illegal burning of land.
Mr Noonan said the message is going out that courts are taking these cases seriously.
There are penalties of up to €6,000, he said, and penalties in terms of the single farm payment.
Mr Noonan urged anyone who witnesses illegal burning of land to report the fires to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
"We have more Rangers than we've ever had before. Also to An Garda Siochána, we have a memorandum of understanding in relation to wildlife crime," he said.
It is also an offence under the Wildlife Act to "wilfully destroy, injure, or mutilate the eggs or nest of a wild bird or to wilfully disturb a wild bird on or near a nest containing eggs or un-flown young birds at any time of the year".
