Wilson celebrates 30 years of Ulster Wildlife Trust

The Northern Ireland Executive today paid tribute to 30 years of the Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) at a special reception held in the charity’s honour at Stormont and attended by several MLAs.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson hailed the work of the Trust and also threw his weight behind a new drive to involve more businesses and members of the public in conservation work.

UWT has declared its 30th anniversary year ‘a year of action’ and has set its sights on involving up to 20,000 people, businesses and landowners in an initiative to do one thing for wildlife.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said: “It is important to celebrate the progress and achievements of the Ulster Wildlife Trust over the last 30 years.

“Over the course of those 30 years it has become an important champion for nature, both on our land and in our seas.

“However, now more than ever, with increasing pressures on our beautiful countryside we need to lend our support to this most deserving charity and help protect Northern Ireland’s precious wildlife for the future.

“I encourage businesses and the public to take up the Ulster Wildlife Trust’s call for a year of action to make a real difference to Northern Ireland’s environment and wildlife.”

Notes-to-Editors

1. The Ulster Wildlife Trust (the Trust) is a local conservation charity with a vision of ‘A healthy environment, rich in native wildlife, valued by all’. It was founded in 1978, has over 6,400 members and manages 20 nature reserves throughout Northern Ireland. The Trust also supports community environmental action, campaigns for a healthy environment and teaches people of all ages about nature.
2. The Trust is one of 47 independent Wildlife Trusts across the UK and operates under the umbrella group the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. This group has over 726,000 members making it the UK’s largest voluntary nature conservation organisation. The patron is HRH the Prince of Wales.
3. Professor Aubrey Manning, OBE, FRSE, a zoologist and broadcaster, is the president of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
4. Several MPS and MLAs and the High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Margaret McKenzie, are attending the Stormont event. The guest list includes a wide range of public, private and environmental groups. Notable attendees include senior representatives from George Best City Airport, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, District Councils, Translink, Phoenix Gas and Premier Power Limited together with other guests representing academic, environmental and voluntary organisations.
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