NEWS

Guests are pictured at the launch with Gary McErlain, Chair of Lough Neagh Partnership, Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Gerry Darby and Michael Browne of Lough Neagh Partnership. A new 10-year strategy aimed at restoring Lough Neagh’s environment, protecting its heritage and strengthening local communities has been unveiled following a two-year collaboration involving residents, experts, government bodies and environmental org

A major river restoration project that will improve more than 750 metres of local watercourse is getting under way, and volunteers are being invited to play a key role in helping bring it to life. Kells, Connor & Glenwherry Angling Club is appealing for local people to get involved in a series of habitat improvement days as work begins on a significant conservation scheme designed to benefit wild trout, salmon and other wildlife. The first volunteer sessions are planned for 1

The new All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030 was launched on Thursday at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, by Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD. Pictured with Dr Úna FitzPatrick, Co-founder of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and Chief Scientific Officer, National Biodiversity Data Centre. Northern Ireland is backing an ambitious new

The myEARTH platform has encouraged the planting of 6000 trees, and 1427 habitats to be created for wildlife across Northern Ireland A digital platform designed to help people take practical action for the environment has inspired the planting of more than 6,000 trees across Northern Ireland in just over a year, while also helping to create 1,427 new wildlife habitats. The figures, released by myEARTH, highlight the impact the free platform has had since launching last year,

A planning application has been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed second phase of a solar farm at Dublin Road, outside Antrim, which developers say could generate enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes. The proposal is for a 20MW solar farm and associated infrastructure, including ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on support frames, two transformer cabins, fencing, CCTV cameras, an internal service road, landscaping, and

Supporters outside Stormont calling for long-term investment in agri-environment schemes to support farmers and restore wildlife, joined by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir New polling commissioned by RSPB NI has revealed strong public support for increased investment in nature-friendly farming, as the organisation called on politicians to provide greater backing for farmers working to protect wildlife and tackle climate change. The survey found that 68 per cent of people support i

The site off the Dans Road being cleared with local residents reporting the removal of ‘several ancient trees’ Opponents of a controversial housing development beside Ballymena’s Braid River Walk say their campaign is far from over after holding a community information night this week following the recent planning decision that approved the scheme in principle. Residents and campaign supporters gathered at the Leighinmohr House Hotel on Thursday evening, June 2, to hear updat

Northern Ireland farmers, rural communities and animal welfare organisations are being invited to help shape one of the most sensitive and controversial issues in agriculture as DAERA launches a public consultation on possible wildlife intervention measures to tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The 12-week consultation seeks views on whether interventions involving badgers should play a role in efforts to eradicate the disease, which continues to have significant consequences

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to examine new environmental funding opportunities after applications opened for the 2026 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme, with grants of up to £20,000 available for eligible projects. The scheme, which opened on Monday, offers financial support for a range of environmental measures designed to improve biodiversity, water quality and habitat protection while allowing farms to remain productive businesses. However, the

People of all ages have helped the MEA Outdoors team with beach cleans at Ballygally A community beach clean at Ballygally brought local people together on Monday evening to help care for one of Mid and East Antrim’s most popular coastal beauty spots. The clean-up event, which took place on Monday 29 June, saw volunteers join forces with the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Outdoors team to collect litter from the shoreline and surrounding beach areas. With coastal locatio

Motorists and residents across Northern Ireland are being urged to prepare for potentially disruptive weather this afternoon after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering all six counties. The warning comes into effect from 12pm today (Tuesday, June 30) and remains in place until 6pm, with forecasters warning that slow-moving thunderstorms could bring localised flooding, hazardous driving conditions and disruption to travel. The alert covers

Northern Ireland farmers are being urged to engage with a major new consultation on future nutrient regulations, as political pressure grows on DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to prove the revised plans can actually be delivered on the ground. The revised Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2027-2030 has entered a 10-week public consultation period following nine months of negotiations involving farming organisations, environmental groups, the agri-food industry and government re

People across Northern Ireland can now report a wide range of environmental incidents more quickly and easily following the launch of a new online reporting system designed to speed up investigations and improve responses from authorities. The new service, introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), creates a single reporting route for environmental concerns ranging from illegal dumping and damage to protected habitats to illegal fishin

Construction of the Silent Valley ‘overflow bell-mouth’ as part of the reservoir scheme built between 1926 and 1932 A magical gateway into one of Northern Ireland’s most treasured landscapes will open this weekend as a packed programme of walks, tours and family events invites visitors to experience the Mournes in a whole new way. From the hidden history of Water Town to the engineering marvel of the Mourne Wall and behind-the-scenes access to vital water infrastructure, from

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir with members of the Glens Red Squirrel Group The volunteers behind one of the Glens of Antrim’s best-known wildlife conservation groups are celebrating more than a decade of investment after receiving over £11,700 in funding to help protect Northern Ireland’s native red squirrel and strengthen community engagement. The milestone was highlighted during a visit by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to the Glens Red Squirrel Group, where he marked the wider su

A yellow weather warning has been issued for Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning that heavy showers and thunderstorms could bring disruption to parts of the region on Friday morning. The Met Office warning comes into effect from 12:00am until 10:00am on Friday, 26 June 2026, with the potential for intense downpours, hail and frequent lightning where storms develop. While not every area will be affected, the Met Office says some places could experience sudden bursts of

Underwater seagrass meadow. A protected seagrass meadow off the County Antrim coast at Waterfoot has been found to contain more nitrogen than scientists consider healthy, after researchers discovered every seagrass meadow tested across Northern Ireland had exceeded an internationally recognised pollution warning threshold. The Queen’s University Belfast study examined the amount of nitrogen stored inside seagrass leaves — a natural record of the pollution the plants have been

Hot weather may be welcomed by many across Northern Ireland, but health experts are warning that prolonged exposure to heat and sunshine can have serious consequences, with rising numbers of sunburn injuries, heat-related illnesses and deaths linked to excessive temperatures. The Public Health Agency (PHA), alongside the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Children’s Burns Trust, is urging people to take simple precautions to protect themselves and t

The Dark Hedges, County Antrim in June. (Image: Shirley Carson Photography) Causeway Coast and Glens DUP councillor Darryl Wilson has accused the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department for the Economy (DfE) of a “dereliction of duty” over the future management of the Dark Hedges. June’s meeting of the council’s Leisure and Development Committee received an update report from Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT). The report followed a motion tabled b

Asda Community Champions paid a visit to Ram's Island A team of Asda Community Champions from across Northern Ireland has swapped the shop floor for the shoreline to help safeguard one of Lough Neagh’s most unique and historic locations. Seven Community Champions travelled to Ram’s Island, a community-managed conservation and heritage site on Lough Neagh, where they joined volunteers in a hands-on effort to tackle invasive plant species and support the island’s ongoing preser