Managing Biodiversity in the Belfast Hillls



Large parts of the Belfast Hills are made up of privately owned agricultural land. Farming is essential to maintain this landscape and conserve the biodiversity of the Belfast Hills. Despite difficult times for agriculture we need farmers and landowners to maintain the correct levels of grazing and management to preserve our species rich grasslands. Many farmers and businesses within the hills are successfully managing their land for biodiversity and we would like to acknowledge this work.

Roughly 30 per cent of the hills is managed by an array of nature conservation organisations such as National Trust, Ulster Wildlife Trust, Colin Glen Trust and Woodland Trust and local authorities including Belfast and Newtownabbey Councils. As well as being open to the public, these sites are commonly managed to conserve and enhance the habitats and species that make them so special.

The Belfast Hills Partnership plays an active role in helping to integrate this work and encourage information sharing and joint projects to maximise efforts to enhance biodiversity in the Belfast Hills.