Image credit Daphne Ferguson

More farms can now benefit from a FREE farm plan than ever before. The AONB and Geopark programme provided by the Woodland Trust, in partnership with the Ring of Gullion and Strangford & Lecale AONBs, is now available over a much larger area. 

Previously a farm had to be within one of the AONBs to apply. However, now the area eligible has expanded to the whole Aspiring Geopark as well as the AONB’s. Since its inception, the project has delivered more than 44 farm plans. Over the last four years, the project has provided woodland and...

Schools, youth groups, community groups and landowners are invited to help tackle Northern Ireland’s lack of woodland cover by getting their hands dirty and planting thousands of trees.

Children and adults throughout the Ring of Gullion and Strangford and Lecale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are invited to make their mark this February by planting 10,000 trees as part of this tree planting scheme. Free tree packs are now available to order for planting this planting season.

While everyone’s reasons for planting are individual, the benefits are lasting and...

Schools, youth groups, community groups and landowners are invited to tackle Northern Ireland’s lack of woodland cover by getting their hands dirty and planting thousands of trees.

Children and adults throughout the country are invited to make their mark this February by planting 10,000 trees as part of a Ring of Gullion and Strangford and Lecale AONB tree planting scheme. Free tree packs are now available for planting this planting season.

While everyone’s reasons for planting are individual, the benefits are lasting and shared. Trees enhance the landscape, improve...

Over recent years as more and more of us spend time in the outdoors for our health and wellbeing and enjoy holidaying at home, one of the water activities that has seen a notable increase in popularity is the use of Personal Water (PWC) craft or Jet Ski, as they are commonly referred to.

In response to this Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership and 13 other coastal management stakeholders have launched Safety Checklist and Responsible User Checklist, facilitated by Leave No Trace Ireland, to remind all PWC users of some top hints and tips that will help to make...

Image credit: Ballymacdermott Court Tomb by John Williams Runner up in the AONB Calendar competition 2020

Newry Mourne and Down District Council have successfully secured funding from the NIEA Challenge Fund to implement additional biodiversity and access projects within the Ring of Gullion and Strangford and Lecale (RGSLL) AONBs.

A total of £279,500 has been secured to invest in a range of exciting natural heritage projects across the areas. This funding will assist in the delivery of key environmental outcomes as identified in the AONB management plans; improving...

The management of the three AONBs (Ring of Gullion, the Mournes and Strangford and Lecale AONBs of Gullion) are pleased to announce the winners of the AONBs Photography Competition have being decided after a lot of deliberation by the judges!

Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the AONBs staff are showcasing the excellent entrees here and the top 14 entrees will feature in our second AONBs Calendar.

The theme for this year’s competition was “My Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” which photographers were free to interpret...

Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP) is encouraging dog walkers around the shores of the Strangford and Lecale AONB to “Share the Shore”. PJ Gault, Chairperson of the SLLP committee said “Allowing dogs to run off lead and chase the birds that are feeding or resting on our shores is harmful to the birds. Please exercise your dogs on lead, or, if possible, away from coastal locations during this time of the year. It is up to all of us to look after our wildlife and ensure these fascinating birds will return to our shores for the enjoyment of future generations.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is asking beach goers to help it protect Minerstown Beach and the wildlife that lives there. 

During the recent sunny weather, people in the district have flocked to the seaside and with over 100 miles of stunning coastline, the residents of Newry, Mourne and Down are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a location to enjoy the beach and the water. 

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin said, “Minerstown beach, in Dundrum Bay is one such place that has seen an increase in use...

The Landscape I Love AONBs Photograph Competition and Calendar

The management of the three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Ring of Gullion, the Mournes and Strangford and Lecale) are pleased to announce the winners of the AONB Photography Competition, and the launch of the AONB Calendar for 2020.

In this collaborative project, Ards and North Down Borough Council and Newry Mourne and Down District Council are pleased to showcase the skills of local photographers and the outstanding qualities of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty(AONBs).

There was an...

The management teams the Ring of Gullion, the Mournes and Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are launching a new joint Photography Competition for the month of September to highlight the beauty of these special areas.

The teams are inviting young and old amateur photographers to submit their digital photographs to the competition. The theme for this year’s competition is “The Landscape I Love”, which photographers are free to interpret any way they choose. This could be our Built, Cultural or even Natural Heritage. Photographers can share some...

Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership are asking for your help in protecting our special places!

Coney Island, a much loved, secluded beach on the Lecale Coast, is part of the Strangford Lough and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its’ habitats and wildlife are protected by several nature conservation designations, including as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). The beach, and all the material on it, is protected by law. Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership urges anyone who is visiting this, or indeed any other beach to think again before taking...

Geo Week 2019 in Strangford Lough and Lecale

Saturday May 11th 11 – 3pm at Ballyhornan Beach

#GeoWeek2019 

Join Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership, as we celebrate Geo Week 2019 in partnership with The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), with this event focusing on our internationally important geological heritage.

Geology is the foundation of our landscape. The melting ice of the last Ice Age revealed the Strangford and Lecale landscape of today. Gentle rolling drumlin hills and islands, sand and mud...

ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL BELIEVED TO BE FIRST TO PURCHASE SEABINS
Ards and North Down Borough Council is believed to be the first Council in Northern Ireland to make a stand against water pollants if the initiative is ratified by full council at the end of the month.
The Environment Committee last night (5 June 18) has agreed the purchase a number of state-of-the-art seabins - floating garbage bins that suck waste from the water of docks and marinas, leaving water rubbish free. It is hoped the initiative will be ratified by full council by the end of the month.