24 APRIL 2006
Carnmoney Hill reaches new heights
Carnmoney Hill declared Local Nature Reserve
Carnmoney Hill, one of Newtownabbey’s greatest landmarks, has risen to a new level – and that’s official. Much to the delight of local people, the Hill has been declared a Local Nature Reserve1: an area of local importance for nature conservation.
Thanks to a lease agreement with Newtownabbey Borough Council,the Woodland Trust currently cares for 68 hectares (168 acres) of land at Carnmoney Hill. The land consists of a mix of habitats – grassland, wetland and woodland, parts of it ancient 2.
The Trust is delighted with the designation. “Carnmoney Hill is home to a wonderful variety of wildlife, including the Irish hare,” says Brian Poots, senior woodland officer with the Woodland Trust. “We have carried out a range of works, from improved access works to the planting of over 55,000 native trees. The new trees will link the existing fragments of ancient woodland, creating new habitats for the Hill’s precious wildlife. Carnmoney Hill is the most fantastic resource, not only for wildlife but for local people, and we’re absolutely delighted that it has received such recognition.”
The designation of Local Nature Reserve was received from Newtownabbey Borough Council in conjunction with Environment and Heritage Service and the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC). Lindsay Matthews, biodiversity officer with Newtownabbey Borough Council added: “This designation reinforces the council’s commitment to biodiversity and nature conservation and is in line with Newtownabbey’s Biodiversity Action Plan. The action plan aims to improve the quality of various wildlife habitats while raising the profile of the importance of biodiversity to us all. Carnmoney Hill Local Nature Reserve is a perfect example of how biodiversity enhancement can be achieved through strong partnerships.”
For further information on Carnmoney Hill or to receive a free copy of the leaflet ‘Carnmoney Hill: a natural wonder of Newtownabbey’ please telephone the Trust’s Bangor office on 028 9127 5787.
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For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust on 028 91 275787 or
Lindsay Matthews at Newtownabbey Borough Council on 028 90 340069
Notes to editors
1 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs):These are designated by local authorities under 'The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order 1985'. The sites are designated in conjunction with EHS and the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC). Local Nature Reserves are declared by local authorities to protect sites of local importance for nature conservation, education and amenity.
2 Ancient woodland: Ancient woodland is land continuously wooded since at least 1600
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Related press release
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 52 woods. These woods contain a mix of newly created community woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (land continuously wooded since 1600). We are also working to create the first comprehensive record of ancient woodland in Northern Ireland.
