Muir visits newly planted native woodland in Co Tyrone

The Minister attended a public open day at Lenamore Wood on Saturday, where members of the public were welcomed for guided tours of the new 16‑hectare native woodland and given the opportunity to plant trees themselves to commemorate the occasion. Plans are in place for the woodland to be fully opened to the public.

The newly created woodland lies beside a remnant of ancient woodland, helping to protect and buffer this valuable and rare habitat. Known as Celtic rainforest or Atlantic oakwood, this habitat thrives in areas of high rainfall and humidity and now represents less than one per cent of land area. Its restoration will play a vital role in the survival of species such as red squirrel and Irish stoat, threatened birds including the wood warbler, and a wide range of mosses, ferns and fungi.

Speaking at the event, Minister Muir said: “I am delighted to be here as Ulster Wildlife celebrates the completion of tree planting at this important woodland site at Lenamore. This project is a powerful example of the importance of increasing woodland cover to enhance biodiversity and provide greater opportunities for people to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of woodlands.

“I am particularly pleased that my Department has been able to support this project with over £100,000 through the Forest Expansion Scheme. I would strongly encourage landowners to consider options to create new woodland, supported through the Forest Expansion Scheme or the Small Woodland Grant Scheme.”

The Lenamore Wood project demonstrates how government and non-government organisations can work collaboratively to deliver lasting benefits for the environment, climate and local communities, while contributing to wider goals for increased woodland.