Minister takes a gander at brent geese

Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, today visited Castle Espie Wetland Centre to officially open the new Brent Geese bird hide and celebrate World Wetlands Day.

Castle Espie on Strangford Lough, is now the winter residence to the majority of the world’s population of these internationally important birds.

During the visit Mr Wilson viewed the progress of the major redevelopment and restoration work at the site. The project, due for completion in March 2010, is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. The ambitious plans will create and restore habitats and overhaul the buildings and spaces which will help the public’s understanding of wetland biodiversity.

While the Heritage Lottery Fund is the main funder of the project, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Natural Heritage Grants Programme has contributed £250,000 to aid the creation and management of wetlands and salt marsh. NIEA funding has also been used to extend the bird hide which allows close viewing of Brent Geese at Castle Espie.

The Minister said: “I congratulate the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust on the excellent redevelopment work that has been carried out to date and I am delighted that my department has been able to assist. The creation and restoration of habitats will make a significant contribution to biodiversity in Northern Ireland.

"Strangford Lough is internationally renowned as Northern Ireland’s most important coastal site for wintering birds. As one of only nine specialist wetland visitor centres in the UK, Castle Espie offers visitors a unique experience where everyone can enjoy wetlands in comfortable and accessible surroundings and get close to wildlife all year round.”

James Orr, Director of Castle Espie said: “It is a pleasure to have the Minister here celebrating World Wetlands Day with us. Wetlands are vital not just for wildlife but for people as well. We would encourage everyone to visit us here at the Wetlands Centre and help us celebrate World Wetlands Day by experiencing this unique habitat for themselves.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), formerly the Environment and Heritage Service, was launched by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson in July 2008.
2. NIEA administers the Natural Heritage Grant Programme to support projects in Northern Ireland to encourage the conservation and enhancement of key elements of the environment and its wildlife, and the provision of facilities which help as wide a range of people as possible to enjoy and appreciate our natural heritage.
3. Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a leading UK conservation organisation. It is committed to the protection of wetlands and all that depend on their survival. In Northern Ireland, WWT is based at the Castle Espie Wetlands Centre on the shores of Strangford Lough.
4. World Wetlands Day is on 2 February each year. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
5. Photos are available upon request.
6. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.