The future role of the community
Every person and organisation within Mourne and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has a role to play in developing and implementing the Mourne Biodiversity Action Plan. That means you. There are many opportunities to get involved.
If you have a general interest or are not sure how to get started, some examples are given below to help you:
Individuals
1. Join in with a local conservation organisation or project eg. The Mourne Conservation Volunteer Programme which offers people the chance to make a practical and worthwhile contribution to conservation of the environment. We would appreciate your help and the following projects over the next three months.
2. Participate in recording Mourne’s wildlife - We know about wildlife in the area, but there are some gaps in our knowledge. Recording may be done at a very informal level or at an organised level. If records from a number of people are put together with others, it builds a picture of what is living in the area and where it is. This helps us to protect important sites, and helps to guide action.
Recording form - Log on to interactive Biodiversity Forum.
3. A garden backyard allotment or even a window box can be made attractive to wildlife.
Community Action for wildlife – Contact us for advice on how your or your community group can get involved in biodiversity related work. You may be part of a community group, which wishes to enhance a piece of land for wildlife. If you are a community group already involved in biodiversity related work please let us know about it.Log on to interactive Biodiversity Forum.
Gardeners There are many opportunities to bring wildlife into the area and to enhance what is already there by appropriate management of gardens. You might put up a bird table; or a hedgehog home; or compost domestic organic waste; grow wildflowers or other small plants that benefit butterflies and birds or create a pond.
Farmers and Land managers
1. Undertake practical measures to enhance your land for wildlife
2. Seek advice on how grant schemes can help you maintain and improve the biodiversity value of your land(We can give guidance on conservation practices, which benefit the farm environment without compromising productivity or economic performance).
Commercial organisations
1. Sponser Biodiversity Action Plans
2. Add your support to local initiatives
3. Encourage environmental practice throughout your business As a company you may have a patch of land associated with your business premises, which is not used for anything in particular. This area could be put to good use. It could enhance the environment of your company, benefit your employees, be of community benefit and benefit wildlife. It may reduce maintenance costs of the plot as well.area could be put to good use. It could enhance the environment of your company, benefit your employees, be of community benefit and benefit wildlife. It may reduce maintenance costs of the plot as well.
4. You may wish to enhance your company’s "green" image and benefit from PR opportunities. Improving your plot for wildlife can achieve this.
Local Authorities
Protect sites of biodiversity value from damaging development.
Facilitate community involvement in conservation.
Youth Groups
We can work with young people to enable them to make an informed contribution to biodiversity conservation and to know that their contribution is valued.
It is now hoped that you will play your part in taking action for wildlife in your area. If you wish to join the Mourne Biodiversity Action Partnership, inform us of any projects already being carried out, or explore any of the above issues please contact:
Catherine McAleenan (Mourne Biodiversity Officer) on 02841769221.
Or E.mail: biodiversity.officer@mourne.co.uk
Schools
School nature gardens are of high educational value as well as providing important opportunities for children and adults alike to relax. The inclusion of wildlife areas in school grounds is of immense value in building and enhancing wildlife in Mourne.
Biodiversity awareness programme for schools
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE : Environment & Heritage Service Education Resource pack for schools (By kind permission of EHS) :
Link to: www.ehsni.gov.uk/education/education
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE: Education Resource Pack provided by Forest Service (by kind permission of Forest Service) :
Link to: www.forestserviceni.gov.uk/education