Music legend Nile Rodgers helps native trees have Good Times
Music legend Nile Rodgers gave the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland’s 30th birthday celebrations a boost as he helped young volunteers plant 30 native trees in the Faughan Valley on Saturday 7 February 2026.
The planting took place thanks to a generous £35,000 donation from the We are Family Foundation, as part of pledges totalling more than £100,000 to the Woodland Trusts.
Woodland Trust Northern Ireland Director, John Martin, said: “We are grateful to Nile Rodgers and the We Are Family Foundation for their amazing support for our native woodland. Given that ancient woodland covers just 0.04% of Northern Ireland’s landscape, this funding is essential to the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland’s work as we restore and create native woodland including Brackfield, Oaks, Red Brae, Burntollet, Killaloo and Oughtagh, all situated along the Faughan Valley, ASSI, a site of special scientific interest.
“It has always been the vision of the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland to connect these fragments of forest for people and nature, helping tackle climate change and the nature crisis both by getting more trees in the ground and by protecting those that are there already. By working with young people, we are inspiring the future champions of our ancient woodlands.”
Speaking as he planted trees with young volunteers, Nile Rodgers, Co-Founder & Chairman, We Are Family Foundation said: “Nothing but love for The Woodland Trust on their 30th anniversary. Our team felt the connection deep down while planting those 30 trees in the beautiful Faughan Valley. The young people at WAFF and the incredible souls we met from the Trust are the real deal, inspiring us every day in the fight for our planet. Standing on the ground that will become the We Are Family Grove in Northern Ireland, I felt a massive wave of hope. We are family, and together we’re making better choices for our future.”
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity and has been managing woodlands within the Faughan Valley for over 20 years.
Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust Darren Moorcroft also made the trip to the Faughan Valley, saying: “It’s not every day that you get to plant a tree with a music legend but then the work here in the Faughan Valley is so inspirational. It is inspiring people here, far and wide including Nile Rodgers, Nancy Hunt and their We Are Family Foundation. We so appreciate their help and that of all our wonderful supporters including our tremendous volunteers.”
John Martin added: “The Woodland Trust is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its work in Northern Ireland this year. By supporting our work with young volunteers, Nile and the We Are Family Foundation are laying a foundation for our future to protect and create native woodland for the next 30 years and beyond.”
The Woodland Trust thanks all supporters of their work in the Faughan Valley. Alongside Nile Rodgers and his We Are Family Foundation they include The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), The National Lottery Heritage Fund; DAERA’s Rural Development Programme and support from Derry City and Strabane City Council.