Image credit: George Hawthorn

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership are seeking new members! Are you committed to conserving and enhancing the Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)? Do you represent a local interest group or organisation? Or are you an individual passionate about protecting the AONB? If so, please read on!

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership is a stakeholder group comprising representatives working to conserve and protect our natural and built...

Consultation on an Active Travel Masterplan to Improve Cycling and Walking within the District.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is working with Sustrans to develop an Active Travel Masterplan for the district.
The Council has launched an online public consultation to find out residents’ views on Active Travel in the district.
The Council recognises the need to move to more sustainable low carbon transport, which includes making improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure within the district area. This a 10 year plan so it is important to capture...

DAERA forestry grants

Almost all woodlands in Northern Ireland are planted with some form of grant assistance. The Forest Service encourages the creation of new woodlands and the management of existing woodlands by providing grant aid towards the cost of the work. Forests for our Future programme aims to plant 18 million trees or 9,000 hectares of new woodland over the next 10 years to help our environment and economy. Grant funding for creating new woodlands will be via the Small Woodland Grant Scheme or the Forest Expansion Scheme.

The Small Woodland Grant...

Interested in the Environment? The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) have published a discussion document highlighting 3 specific elements of the UK Government’s Environment Bill, currently making its way through Parliament. They need your help on the future of our environment. They are seeking views on a number of environmental governance issues that arise due to UK withdrawal from the EU. 

See the website here for more information

Closing date 05 February 2021 at 23:59

A £20.5 million fund from dormant accounts is set to be opened for community groups.

Dormant Accounts Fund NI will support the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland to be more resilient and prepared for the future by funding activity that increases capacity and sustainability.

The Dormant Accounts Fund opened for applications on Tuesday January 12

Funding size: Up to £100,000 for individual organisations

Application deadline: Ongoing

Visit here for more information

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a Discussion Document in advance of developing the first Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland.  Closing date 15 February 2021 at 17:00

The full press release from DAERA here. Minister Poots said: “Air pollution can have a serious effect on people's health. Research by the British Heart Foundation estimates that hundreds of deaths in Northern Ireland are...