It's Swift Awareness Week! We are keen to know if you have seen swifts this year! We are particularly interested in Portaferry, Strangford and Downpatrick. Please report your sightings

The Common Swift (Apus apus)

How do you identify a swift?

Swifts are brown all over with a slightly paler throat, scythe shaped wings and no tail streamers. An urban summer visitor best seen at dusk in towns and cities with a distinctive loud screaming call. Swifts typically nest in holes and crevices of older buildings.

Fascinating fact: This amazing bird spends almost...

Bat surveying anyone?🦇

Daubenton's Bat Waterways Survey Workshop being run by Ards and North Down Borough Council in conjunction with Bat Conservation Ireland.

Litter Lift at Minerstown beach as part of Live Here Love Here Clean Coasts Week supported by Coca-Cola from the 1st June - 10th June  . It is a week of practical environmental action which takes place right across the North and South of the island and is an opportunity for volunteers to work together to help make our beaches and waterways beautiful. Last year, we joined forces with different community and sports groups throughout Northern Ireland and took part in different events to raise awareness and have a bit of fun, all while combating litter! Volunteers across the...

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today (April 2018) launched a public consultation on the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland. The Marine Plan will facilitate the sustainable use of marine resources and the management of activities and uses from natural heritage to energy, aquaculture and tourism and recreation.

It builds upon the policy framework outlined in the UK Marine Policy Statement and will facilitate the integration of marine planning with land use planning....

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today launched a public consultation on the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland.

The consultation provides a new planning approach that supports the sustainable management of the Northern Ireland marine area.  

The Marine Plan will facilitate the sustainable use of marine resources and the management of activities and uses from natural heritage to energy, aquaculture and tourism and recreation.

It builds upon...

Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme

The Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme takes a fresh approach to improving our local environment and building a sense of pride in our local communities.

Launched by Local Councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Choice Housing, McDonald's and Keep Northern Beautiful, the Small Grants Scheme provides support to volunteer projects that:

• Use innovative ways to reduce littering and dog fouling where you live.
• Improve the way your local environment is looked after, whether urban, rural or...

The once common Red Squirrel is under threat from the invasive non-native Grey Squirrel, introduced to Ireland in 1911.The Ards Peninsula is one of the last bastions of the Red Squirrel within Northern Ireland. Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership working with the Ards Red Squirrel Group is asking you to report sightings of both Red and Grey Squirrels and also Pine Martens. Help us to conserve and protect the native Red Squirrel!

We are moving forward with plans to establish a UNESCO Global Geopark in Mourne, Ring Of Gullion AONB and Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership. To find out more, come to one of our Open Days taking place throughout the district this April. See below of more details.

Dear members of Coastal Guardian Volunteers (Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership)

Congratulations! You were recently nominated for the Live Here Love Here Community Awards 2018 and I am pleased to tell you that the judges have chosen you for an honourable mention in the Newry, Mourne and Down Litter Heroes Award.

We had over 170 nominations across the 14 award categories and you can take great pride in the fact that you are one of the 28 dedicated individuals and groups who have been recogned for inspiring their communities to take part in environmental action.

While most anglers are vigilant about the risk of spreading non-native species and diseases, there is a real risk that those that aren't could accidentally spread these organisms, harming the environment and potentially damaging the reputation of the sport and the fish stocks they rely on.

To help tackle the problem, a group of young anglers are getting the latest biosecurity advice on how to look after their equipment and clothing to help reduce the spread of such non-native species.

“Invasive species pose a growing threat to our environment, economy and human health....

The Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme takes a fresh approach to improving our local environment and building a sense of pride in our local communities.This year the Live Here Love Here team are visiting a number of locations across the country to help you with your application. Come along to hear from some successful grant recipients in your area, what the judges are looking for and ask any questions!

The Small Grants Scheme provides support to volunteer projects that: 

...

Transform an urban or unloved space with wildflowers…

Are you ready to become part of the UK’s largest wildflower initiative, by bringing people together to transform a shared space in your community with native wildflowers?

Yes! Tell me how…

Step 1: Find a shared space where you live or work (and find out who owns it!)

Step 2: Take a picture

Step 3: To apply fill in a few details, including who you plan to involve in transforming the space, and upload your picture