The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has teamed up with Garden Show Ireland to sponsor the new 'Sustainable Garden Award' at this year’s Hillsborough Garden Festival.
The award will be presented to the squad that best demonstrates during the competition, care and understanding of environmentally and wildlife friendly gardening practices.
NIEA Director of Biodiversity, Michael Meharg will be one of the judges on the panel.
He said today: "It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to judge this award and to highlight the importance of sound environmental practices in gardening.
“Every garden, big or small, has the potential to be a mini nature reserve.
“Simple actions such as providing nest boxes, bug boxes or log piles, installing a water butt to store rainwater and reducing the use of chemicals in the garden can all have huge benefits for wildlife and the environment.”
In addition to sponsoring the new award, NIEA will be exhibiting at the Garden Show and their experts will be taking part in the Garden Roadshow discussions each day.
They will provide advice and will showcase simple steps everyone can take in their own garden to help the environment.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Garden Festival takes place at Hillsborough Castle from 5-7 June.
2. For media inquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 0769971 5440 and your call will be returned.
