World Wetlands Day was on 2nd February and there is nowhere more perfect than the mudflats of Lough Foyle to experience the biodiversity of a RAMSAR (wetland) site.

Richard Gillen Countryside Recreation Officer with Limavady Borough Council and Andy Sides from the Loughs Agency hosted a small group of staff and Directors from the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust at the RSPB reserve in Ballykelly on Thursday to discuss the importance of the Lough in terms of tourism, agriculture and biodiversity.

Tom McDonnell from the Rathlin Community Association, a keen wildlife photographer and bird spotter pointed out a variety of visiting birds including the Little Egret, Oystercatchers, Whooper Swans and Curlews.

Andy Sides said: ‘The Little Egret, once an extremely rare bird in these parts, has been occasionally sighted feeding in the marshlands bordering the lough.’

Sam Cole, Councillor with Coleraine Borough Council and RSPB member spotted in the distance three white and grey gulls feeding off the rich arable flatlands which he identified as the Glaucous Gull, a rare visitor from Iceland and the Arctic region.

Cllr Roy Craig from Larne Borough Council and CCGHT Vice Chairman thanked all those who had braved the cold and rain: ‘These study trips have been organised as part of CCGHT’s ten year celebrations but they are also a very useful tool for experiencing and learning about sites within the Trust’s remit.  The Trust organised a similar trip in November to Gracehill in Ballymena to experience the built and cultural heritage of a Moravian settlement and today we have been very fortunate to experience the natural heritage of a very important wetland site.  We look forward with intrigue to the next trip.’

MLAs Mervyn Storey and Cathal O h’Oisín hosted an event at Stormont on Tuesday 7th February to promote the uniqueness of the Causeway Coast & Glens area and to raise awareness of the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust, the partnership body responsible for protecting the area.

Minister of the Environment Alex Attwood spoke of the unparalleled beauty of the region. He said: ‘I am determined, subject to Executive approval, to get National Park legislation underway.  The framework will be different to Ireland and the UK and it will reflect the needs of Northern Ireland. ’

The Minister went on to congratulate the Trust for the work achieved over the last ten years and he encouraged local councils to support the organisation.  In particular he asked Ballymoney Borough Council to consider re-establishing its partnership with the Heritage Trust.

In light of the Minister of Environment, Alex Attwood’s firm advocacy of the concept of National Parks in Northern Ireland, the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, with 10 years of experience in AONB management and sustainable tourism, has an important role to play in the debate.

Acting Chief Executive, Maxime Sizaret said: ‘from its experience, the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust must be recognised as the most suitable partnership to deliver key environmental priorities. A strong, well resourced and locally supported organisation such as the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust is ideally placed to support, promote and advocate the concept.’

The Causeway Coast and Glens area offers unrivalled landscapes shared by 6 local Councils, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena, Moyle and Larne. These unique landscapes are nationally and internationally recognised with 3 of the 8 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site.

The Chairman, Bill Harpur commented:  ‘The Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust has built a strong reputable partnership over the last decade, attracting over £7 million of EU, HLF, central and local government funding to the area through a series of projects.  It coordinates the management of 3 AONBs and a World Heritage Site.  The Trust has successfully drawn money into the local economy whilst ensuring that the unique quality of the landscape and heritage of the area are conserved, enhanced and promoted.’

In light of ongoing financial pressures and rising interest in landscape conservation the event at Stormont emphasised that continued support from within National and local government and from wider partners is needed to sustain the future of the organisation to conserve, enhance and promote the Causeway Coast and Glens unique landscapes and heritage for many more years.

The Directors and staff of CCGHT are grateful to Mervyn Storey MLA and Cathal O H’Oisín MLA for the opportunity to promote the area and the role of the Heritage Trust to the Stormont audience.

As part of our tenth anniversary celebrations the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT), has launched the newly refurbished website ccght.org

The new-look website is fresh and exciting. It reflects our corporate responsibility and commitment to the promotion and protection of the Causeway Coast & Glens region. We have introduced three unique, inspirational and informative micro sites, one for each of the three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the North Coast – Binevenagh, Causeway Coast and the Antrim Coast & Glens. We hope that our web visitors will be able to easily navigate the website and we welcome comments on our facebook and twitter sites.

The website has a plethora of stunning images and a wealth of knowledge on the natural and cultural heritage of this uniquely outstanding region. As and when further funding becomes available CCGHT intends to build on the website, adding a micro site for the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site and a Learning Zone for kids of all ages. So visit ccght.org regularly for updates!

CCGHT acknowledges support from NIEA to assist with the refurbishment of the website.