BTCV : CVNI : Tree Campaign

Happy new year! And it's a time that many of us resolve to make some changes for the better. If you sometimes feel you could be doing something better with your weekend and want to work off those extra Christmas pounds, we have the answer for you – join our Saturday morning Green Gym that has been running since September 2007.

...and, the closing date for applications for "Free Trees" to schools and community groups is Friday 1 February 2008 - visit our Northern Ireland Tree Campaign pages to find out more. If you know of a group that might be interested, please let them know. Certain straightforward conditions apply.

Six Mile Water Guardians
The Six Mile Water river corridor is an important haven for many species of plants and animals. Antrim Borough Council are keen to have as many local people become "Six Mile Water Guardians" to help ensure its future for other generations. The first training session was held on 12 January 2008, with a "Woodland Management" training day, provided by Conservation Volunteers.
Read this story

On your bike!
Conservation Volunteers in Belfast have teamed up with Sustrans on a local community project, which has seen Belfast community staff and volunteers getting on their bikes to help the environment. Staff and volunteers from both organisations arrived on bicycles, trailer in tow, to minimise the environmental impact of running the project.
Find out what happened

Conservation Volunteers and climate change
Climate change is an issue that has the potential to affect us all. Almost everything we do requires energy in some form and, if it comes from the burning of fossil fuels, it will contribute to the warming of our atmosphere. How can we make a difference?
Find out more

Yellow Flag - Iris pseudacorus
The Yellow Flag, also known as Yellow Iris, Yellow Flag Iris, Jacob’s Sword or Segg, is native to the wetlands and marshes of Northern Ireland. It is also distributed throughout Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean region. This Iris is a common plant across the British Isles, apart from the Scottish Highlands, but is the only wild Iris in Northern Ireland.
Go to the Wildflower Nursery website - Read this article

Planet Earth Under Threat
The fifth of eight programmes in the BBC's Planet Earth Under Threat series is called "The Conundrum of Biodiversity". This programme looks at some of the biggest environmental questions of the day. You'll need RealPlayer to listen to this.
Listen to this programme

Phytophthora ramorum
Phytophthora ramorum is a serious fungus-like pathogen causing damage to trees and a range of native plants in California and Oregon. It is now also affecting a range of ornamental plants in several US states and Canada. In Europe, it has been found in many countries including the Republic of Ireland and the UK including the Channel Islands. It has recently been found in amenity plantings and woodlands in Northern Ireland.

Find out more in this booklet (PDF - 874KB) from Defra and, if you suspect an infection, contact your local DARD inspector on 028 9054 7204

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