We all want to enjoy the outdoors with our families and friends.

Alongside Government protocols and public health guidelines, here are some tips to help us all to make decisions using our own sound judgement, continue to be considerate to others and not put stresses on the NHS and other Emergency Services, so we can all:

Newry, Mourne & Down District Council / Ards & North Down Borough Council

FREE 1:1 digital innovation mentoring

With digital marketing and immersive technology becoming such a vital tool for businesses in today’s world for boosting sales, generating leads and reaching new customers, businesses will need as much knowledge and experience as they can in this field. The Digital Growth Programme is designed to give businesses valuable advice and support from experts in the industry, between 1:1 mentoring and workshops, where they can then develop their digital...

Business Support and Advice from the Enterprise Development Team, Newry Mourne and Down District Council. The first point of contact for businesses, from the smallest through to the very largest. Offering a range of expertise and advice to support local businesses. Working closely with a number of partners and providers and can put you in touch with just the right person to help your business succeed. 

http://nmdbusiness.org/

#PlasticFreeJuly is here are you ready to take the challenge?

Learn more about the Plastic Free July global movement and take challenge here.

There are lots of simple things that you can do to reduce your use of plastic, such as bring your own reusable water bottle, choosing plastic free alternatives when buying fruit and vegetables, refusing plastic straws with your drinks and always take your own reusable bags to the shops.

A great place to start is by making your Plastic Promise with Live Here...

Please consider taking part in a 10-minute online survey on Strangford Lough. Constance Schéré, a PhD candidate at King’s College London, is studying marine conservation at Strangford Lough. Part of her PhD research is to understand the role equity (i.e. fairness and inclusion) plays in conservation. Equitable conservation is vital to ensuring effective protection of natural resources while maintaining human well-being, yet equity tends to be overlooked in protected area assessments.

In this fully anonymous survey, you...

This years Environmental Challenge Fund Competition is now open! Available for not-for-profit organisations and councils to deliver key environmental priorities across NI. For details on eligibility, environmental impact priorities and how to apply here

Deadline: 28 July.

More info: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/poots-launches-ps800000-environment-funding-boost #environment #nature #sustainability

National Insect Week encourages people of all ages to learn more about insects
National Insect Week #NIW2020 on 22nd to 28th June 2020 will not involve physical events, to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 virus
https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/news/entomology-home-national-insect-week

All-Ireland Pollinator Plan
One third of our bee species are threatened with extinction from Ireland. This is because we have drastically reduced the amount of food (flowers) and safe nesting sites in our landscapes. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is about all of us, from farmers to local authorities, to schools, gardeners and businesses, coming together to try to create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive. The first Plan covers the period 2015-2020 and a new version will be developed to cover 2021-2025. Follow the link

https://pollinators.ie/

Rethinking Volunteering in Environmental & Heritage Groups in Light of COVID-19

A special COVID-19 related series of Volunteer Now Members’ Sessions to look at volunteering across a series of themes started on 14 May with Rethinking Volunteering in Charity Shops Post COVID-19.
Volunteers have been at the heart of the local community response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Whether helping out a neighbour to get some shopping, joining up with a community group to deliver food parcels or telephoning someone isolated, volunteers have been making a difference to how people...

Pollinator Partnership is proud to announce that June 22-28, 2020 has been designated National Pollinator Week!

National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them.

https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week

The 8th June 2020 marks World Oceans Day, a global celebration of the world’s oceans. Since 2008, World Oceans Day has grown into a worldwide event taking place across 140 countries. Each year, people come together to celebrate and learn about the one global ocean that connects us all.
Follow the link below

https://www.ptieducation.org/event/a0s1r00000K9YufAAF?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6bjSga3j6QIVKoBQBh3WgwiqEAAYASAAEgI4efD_BwE

The foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable all come from nature.
Yet, these are exceptional times in which nature is sending us a message:
To care for ourselves we must care for nature.
It’s time to wake up. To take notice. To raise our voices.
It’s time to build back better for People and Planet.
This World Environment Day, it’s Time for Nature.
Follow the links below to Learn more