National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
Located between the southern Mournes and the Irish Sea, Mourne Park is home to 73 hectares of ancient woodland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s the closest green space for residents of nearby Kilkeel, the main fishing port on the County Down coast, who can access it year-round for recreation.
The Woodland Trust is using the funding to:
- create 6km of walking trails leading to Knockchree Hill, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and sea
- restore the White Water stone bridge, a historic part of the old Newry Road
- remove invasive species such as rhododendron, laurel, bamboo and Himalayan honeysuckle to allow the woodland to regenerate
- establish new native woodland to protect the edges of the existing ancient woodland and create corridors for wildlife
- employ a Project Manager and a Conservation Officer
Dave Scott, Estate and Projects Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, said: “These ancient and veteran trees are our living cathedrals. They've been around for 300 to 400 years and are a really important habitat for supporting wildlife and storing huge amounts of carbon, yet they’re really threatened. We only have 0.04% of ancient woodlands left in Northern Ireland.”
A community engagement programme is designed to bring new people to the woodlands to enjoy the outdoors. Participants will have the chance to get involved in volunteering, learn new skills in woodland management and gain hands-on conservation experience by removing invasive species, creating new habitats and monitoring wildlife.
Find out more about Mourne Park and how to visit on the Woodland Trust website.
