One of our less well-known animals in the Belfast Hills is the Common Newt (usually known as the Smooth Newt). Despite its name, it is no longer very common, and is now designated a Northern Ireland Priority Species, and is protected by law. Smooth Newts are 1 of only 2 native amphibians in N. Ireland (the other being the Common Frog). At this time of year, romance is high on […]
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The Belfast Hills Partnership along with the National Trust are tooling up for this year’s Big Dig on Divis and the Black Mountain. Divis & the Black Mountain is looked after and cared for by the National Trust and consists of c.2000 acres of upland and grassland heath, rich in biodiversity and archaeological interest located within the Belfast Hills. This year’s exciting archeological excavation, known as the Big […]
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Schools of salmon streamed into classrooms last month in refrigerated incubators! Year 9 pupils from St Colm’s High and P7’s from Oakwood Integrated Primary have been hatching fish eggs for release, into their local river with the help of the Belfast Hills Partnership. The project known as ‘Salmon in the Classroom’ gives young people a unique opportunity to learn more about the life cycle of Atlantic Salmon as well […]
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Tiger moths, Red Kites, Butterfly orchids and Lizards are just some of the wonderful wildlife that has been spotted in the Belfast Hills during 2016. Forget having to settle down to a night of David Attenborough’s ‘Planet Earth’ to experience some of the wonders of the natural world; grab your binoculars and walking shoes and head to the Belfast Hills! 2016 has been a great year for wildlife […]
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Want to make a difference in 2017? Make your mark to help local wildlife? Perhaps get a bit fitter in the process? The Belfast Hills Partnership needs volunteers to help plant 13,500 trees and hedging plants before the end of March 2017! Tree planting is vital, as they not only generate oxygen and store carbon, but provide homes and food to a huge range of wildlife. The trees being […]
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The Belfast Hills Partnership has been working with young people from West Belfast encouraging them to ‘Go Wild’ and explore the Belfast Hills. The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund as part of the Our Bright Future programme; a forward-thinking social movement that supports young people to lead progressive change in their communities and local environment. We want local young people to learn about the uplands and encourage […]
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As part of Our Landscape Partnership Scheme the Belfast Hills Partnership has been enabling local school children to get creative and to produce an award winning mosaic at the Half Moon Lake site in West Belfast. The Half Moon Lake, known locally as the ‘halfie’, is a hidden jewel just off the Suffolk road. Few people know of the secluded crescent-shaped waterway’s existence, but it is a key part of the rich industrial heritage […]
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The Belfast Hills Partnership (BHP) is working in partnership with Belfast City Council to develop a new path within Cave Hill Country Park’s Horse Shoe Bend site, Belfast. Applications are invited from experienced Design and Build Contractors who wish to tender for this Path and Infrastructure Works Project. The project is for the design and construction of approx. 440 meters of new path along with approx. 735 meters […]
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The Belfast Hills Partnership’s loyal team of volunteers have been celebrating the Partnership’s becoming an Investing in Volunteers (IiV) achiever, having been awarded the quality standard today. Lisa Critchley, the Belfast Hills Outreach and Volunteer Officer, said “we are delighted to have been awarded this quality standard from Volunteer Now. This award is a UK quality standard which shows that we value our volunteers and demonstrates our commitment to […]
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A stainless steel raindrop is to be unveiled today as Belfast’s newest piece of public art. The six-metre tall sculpture, known as Origin overlooks Belfast from the Horseshoe Bend section of Cavehill Country Park and will be visible from across the city. The art piece is part of a cross-community collaboration between Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich on the Falls Road and the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill Road […]
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