Poots grants £4.3 million for environmental projects

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced that 25 ‘not for profit organisations’ are to benefit from £4.3million under his Department's Environment Fund. Minister Poots is pictured with National Trust volunteers and staff after they received a part of the fund to continue work on erosion control and provision of a Ranger service. Pictured (from left-right) are; Marc Vinas, Ryan Branagh, Minister Poots, Patrick Lynch, Heather McLachlan (Director National Trust NI) and Melina Quinn. Picture Philip Magowan/PressEye

Minister Poots made the  announcement during a visit to the Mournes with the National Trust to assess the damage caused by the devastating wildfires in April 2021 and to discuss emergency plans for restoration and recovery.

He said: “I am pleased to make £4.3 million funding available to 25 organisations to carry out projects which will help with nature recovery and connect people with nature.

“I was delighted to see so many and varied projects being successful in their applications. Projects range from the creation of nature-rich trails and walkways, outdoor recreation facilities, protection of our coastline and the restoration of habitats and peatlands.”

The funding will aid 71 environmental projects which build ecological and climate resilience, help people to connect with the natural environment, improve our best habitats and help to address threats facing our natural environment.

To date, this brings the  total that Minister Poots has allocated to environmental projects through the  Environment Fund in 2021/22 to approximately £ 7 million.

The minister continued: “This funding will also support Covid Recovery and Green Growth by enabling environmental and access projects.

“Through this £4.3 million funding programme, my department is proactively delivering opportunities so that people can spend time enjoying nature, which in turn benefits mental health and well-being.

“I fully support partnership working between the community, government and businesses so that collectively we do all that we can to actively protect and enhance our varied countryside and wildlife.”

The National Trust is one of the 25 organisations set to receive grant aid.

Commenting on the award, the minister added: “In May, I gave a commitment to support environmental recovery within the Mournes and I am pleased that ‘The Mourne Wildfire Recovery Project’ will receive a share of the £4.3 million funding.”

Heather McLachlan from The National Trust said: “We are delighted to welcome the DAERA Minister back to the Mournes to see and discuss the work that is in progress to support the recovery following the fire.

“Funding from DAERA will play a crucial role in enabling that recovery to continue.”

She concluded: “It is vital that all stakeholders work  together to create a vision and long term management  plan for the protection of  this precious place for everyone.”