BIODIVERSITY

Living within the capacity of our environment is a great challenge for us all - we need to take action locally and not rely solely on national solutions.  There are many successful examples of people working with nature rather than against it, but there is still much more to do. Local Strategic Partnerships are one of our best hopes of firmly re-establishing the links between people and nature.

Sir Martin Doughty, English Nature

Conservation:  Across the Belfast Hills there are a number of different organisations working towards the conservation of the Belfast Hills.  These include the Woodland Trust, the National Trust, the Ulster Wildlife Trust and Colin Glen Trust.

The Belfast Hills Partnership is undertaking a number of biodiversity related projects in the Belfast Hills.  These include an Irish Hare and Upland Heath survey which will provide us with a baseline of information and enable more informed management plans to be followed to increase the number of Irish Hare and the quality and extent of upland heath.

Information & advice:  Information about the biodiversity of the Belfast Hills and advice on how to get involved is found on this website in the Biodiversity section.  The production of a Biodiversity Booklet of the Belfast Hills is also underway.

Fires:  Fire setting throughout the Belfast Hills is a huge problem, resulting in the destruction of habitats and the loss of wildlife.  Easter and summer holidays are a key problem time for fire setting. 

The Belfast Hills Partnership has been liaising with the Fire Brigade and site managers across the hills, and has produced information packs for the Fire Brigade outlining contact details, access routes, water availability etc.

Flytipping:  Unfortunately flytipping is a very real problem in the Belfast Hills.  If you see any flytipping please contact the local council as they are responsible for removing this waste.