£2m boost for Mournes project

£2m boost for Mournes project

5 May 2021

STORMONT environment minister Edwin Poots was hard at work in the high Mournes recently while announcing a further £2m for the environmental fund challenge competition.

Mr Poots visited Slieve Donard where he helped National Trust staff repair a strategic path from ‘the saddle’ to the summit using innovative and sustainable methods. 

The repair scheme was one of 23 projects that benefited from funding through last year’s challenge fund.

The minister said that his visit to Slieve Donard with the National Trust and helping to repair pathways to the summit enabled him to see at first hand the excellent work undertaken to protect the environment. 

Mr Poots described the project as an “excellent example” of the sustainable positive outcomes that can be achieved for biodiversity whilst promoting health and well-being through allowing responsible access to the outdoors.

He continued: “I am conscious of the significant negative impact that Covid-19 has had on organisations that work tirelessly to protect our environment, enhance access and enable visitors to experience our natural heritage and all of its diversity.

“I am therefore pleased to have allocated a further £2m for a 2021/22 challenge competition to complement the existing environment fund which my Department will launch in the coming weeks.”

Mr Poots said the “significant additional funding” will assist with the green recovery from the Covid pandemic whilst providing further support for the delivery of key Departmental strategic aims and the Programme for Government.

The minister added: “I strongly support partnership working with environmental organisations and acknowledge the significant contribution that volunteers make to projects such as the one on Slieve Donard. I look forward to visiting other projects in the near future to see the benefits of this collaboration.”

The National Trust’s Director for Northern Ireland, Heather McLachlan, said the organisation was delighted to be able to show Mr Poots the expert work it is doing to restore the footpaths which give thousands of people safe access into the Mournes. 

“We also discussed our work to restore nature and wildlife on Slieve Donard and Commedagh. As a conservation charity, our focus is on looking after these really special places so that both people and nature can thrive.”

Ms McLachlan also acknowledged  the importance of funding support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for the conservation work in the Mournes.

“As Northern Ireland emerges again from lockdown, we are very aware that access to the outdoors and nature has never been in greater demand,” she continued.

“We would urge everyone to enjoy the fresh air and wonderful views at places local to them, and also to play their part in looking after nature by keeping to the paths and taking their litter home with them.”