NEWS

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

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

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

Rea’s Wood at Loughshore Park, Antrim Bathers are being advised to stay out of the water at Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh this summer after the site was again classified as “poor” for water quality due to faecal contamination and recurring blue-green algae. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has advised against bathing at Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh in Antrim, councillors have been told. A report presented to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

Northern Ireland’s main agri-food science organisation is facing growing pressure to redefine its future after an independent review concluded the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is being “pulled in three directions”, lacks a clear strategic identity and may ultimately require significant structural reform. The wide-ranging review, commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), examined AFBI’s effectiveness, governance, accoun

Views across Tullygarley bridge toward the proposed housing development site near the River Braid Planning officers have recommended approval for a controversial housing development beside Ballymena’s Braid River Walk despite months of fierce opposition from residents, environmental concerns and a petition backed by hundreds of people. The proposal, which has triggered one of the most emotionally charged local planning disputes in Ballymena in recent years, would see 28 new h

Cottage Wood just off Ballybrack Road, Cushendall A woodland on the edge of Cushendall known for its red squirrels, winding paths and sea views is set to become an immersive outdoor heritage attraction after councillors approved plans for a new art and storytelling trail at Cottage Wood. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has backed proposals from Cushendall Development Group to transform parts of the 10-acre woodland into a family-focused heritage experience celebratin

Pupils from Armoy Primary School Children at Armoy Primary School have been learning a startling lesson about one of the world’s most essential resources after discovering that just 1% of the planet’s water is drinkable. The eye-opening fact formed part of a visit by NI Water’s education team, which delivered a series of interactive sessions focused on water conservation and the importance of using water responsibly. Pupils took part in games, practical demonstrations and act

Volunteers carried 60 wool logs weighing 8kg onto site at Slievenanee Mountain An ambitious new environmental restoration project in the Antrim Hills is turning one of farming’s most undervalued by-products into a potential weapon against peatland erosion and climate damage. The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Ulster Wildlife and a group of industry and research partners have launched Northern Ireland’s largest trial to date using locally sourced wool to restore damaged blanket

Doagh Primary School is helping protect local wildlife with the installation of three new swift nest boxes and a caller system. L–R: Cllr Archibald‑Brown, Edward McKee, Esther McKee, Cllr Stewart, the Outgoing Deputy Mayor Cllr Gilmour, Kate McAlister, George Acheson and school principal Mrs Brown. Front row: P5 pupils from Doagh Primary School. Seven new Swift nesting boxes have been installed at sites in Doagh and Ballyclare as part of a growing effort to protect one of the