The Belfast Hills Partnership (BHP) marked its 20th anniversary with nearly £1m in recovery funding.
The support comes from the Nature Recovery Challenge and strengthens conservation work across Northern Ireland.
Strong investment for projects across the region
Two BHP projects join nine others in sharing more than £3.2m from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The money will be distributed over three years.
Northern Ireland struggles with biodiversity loss, as 12% of its species face extinction.
Dr Lizzy Pinkerton from BHP called the award a “wonderful opportunity” to expand existing efforts.
She highlighted the importance of relationships with communities, sectors, and landowners on the hills.
Wider benefits beyond Belfast Hills
Other funded projects include habitat work in Antrim, woodland support in Fermanagh, and a biodiversity scheme in Belfast.
Environment Minister Andrew Muir praised the programme after receiving many applications.
He said the investment will give a “much-needed boost” to biodiversity recovery across Northern Ireland.
Protecting the Crumlin River
One BHP project targets the Crumlin River, which begins on Divis Mountain and flows into Lough Neagh.
Dr Pinkerton stressed that the lough “needs all the help it can get right now.”
She explained that landowners along the river play a crucial role in recovery.
Baseline surveys will measure water quality and identify problem areas.
Work with landowners will include riparian tree planting, erosion protection, and creating spaces for fish and birds.
Aiming for the 30 by 30 target
The second BHP project supports the global 30 by 30 goal set at COP15 in 2022.
The UK pledged to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
BHP wants to go further than the established public sites in Belfast Hills.
Dr Pinkerton said the group plans to involve quarries, farms, allotments, and other private land.
She emphasised the need to help landowners understand local biodiversity and manage it better.
Creating new homes for wildlife
The project includes surveys, management plans, and baseline data collection.
BHP already collaborated on creating two ponds at a quarry on Black Mountain.
Newts recently appeared at the site, showing early signs of success.
“It’s brilliant that wildlife is moving into the new homes,” said Dr Pinkerton.
Broad partnership for nature recovery
Funding also supports the RSPB, the Woodland Trust, three councils, Queen’s University Belfast, and the National Trust.
Together, the projects form a coordinated effort to restore habitats and protect wildlife across Northern Ireland.
