Do you love trees and the outdoors? Do you have a ‘New Year’s Resolution’ to get fit or make a difference in 2018? Do you want to make your mark to help local wildlife? If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of these, then the Belfast Hills Partnership can help you fulfill your wishes! We need volunteers to help plant 6,500 trees and hedging plants before the end of March […]
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Over half a million free trees are currently winging their way to schools and community groups across the UK thanks to the Woodland Trust. It’s the charity’s biggest-ever distribution of free trees and a sign of the public’s growing desire to plant. The saplings – 561,000 to be precise – are equivalent to approximately 350 hectares. And over 24,000 are set to brighten the Northern Ireland landscape. People right […]
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There was much celebration at last nights ‘Heritage Angel Awards’ as Tom Meharg was announced as winning the ‘Best Contribution to a Heritage Project by a Young Person’ category for his voluntary work at the Belfast Hills Partnership’s Community Archaeology Digs. The Belfast Hills Partnership nominated Tom into the Ulster Architectural Heritage Societies prestigious ‘Heritage Angel Awards’. This award aims to celebrate the efforts of local people, who have […]
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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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