Ambitious plans by NI Water to plant 1 million trees across Northern Ireland by 2030 have almost reached the halfway mark.

Photo L-R:Jo Aston, Chair at NI Water; Matt Huddlestone, Senior Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland;

DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir and Dr Sara Venning, CEO NI Water.

Around 250,000 trees have been put in the ground at Woodburn reservoir, Carrickfergus, which doubled the amount of trees planted by NI Water since last summer and made it the biggest woodland creation site in Northern Ireland for three decades.

More than 450,000 trees are now growing across its sites from Carrickfergus, to Stoneyford and out to Newcastle.

Jo Aston, Chair at NI Water said:

“This is a great moment – almost half a million trees planted in less than 4 years!

“Nature in Northern Ireland is in crisis, ranking 12th worst globally for biodiversity loss, making it one of the most nature-depleted places in the world. As Northern Ireland’s second largest landowner, this means NI Water has a big responsibility.

“This initiative has many benefits. Planted trees help water quality, carbon capture, flood prevention and enhance the natural environment. We’re also proud that the native trees planted are mostly broadleaved deciduous, which also boosts flowers and fauna. Trees are nature’s powerful carbon sinks and in the face of the worsening climate crisis, this is not just a ‘nice to do’ – it is becoming essential.

“Regreening our lands will have long lasting benefits for our local communities, future generations, and the planet itself. We are passionate about the strategically important role we can play in helping society to tackle climate change, build the green economy and restore biodiversity.”

DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir commented:

“I am pleased that my Department is able to provide grant support of £800k under the Forest Expansion Scheme for the establishment of this substantial new native woodland at Woodburn of 139 hectares with over 250,000 trees planted. I want to congratulate everyone involved in this fantastic outcome for tree planting in Northern Ireland, thanks to the positive and collaborative approach between NI Water, The Woodland Trust and Forest Service.

“Increasing the area of forests and woodlands is a key challenge and focus for the Department. We need to significantly accelerate annual planting rates to reach 12% of land area by 2050 - currently 8.6%. I see afforestation as an essential element of DAERA’s contribution to climate change mitigation and legislative obligations for a balanced pathway to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

NI Water has been working in partnership with The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland and the Forest Service to deliver its 1 million trees regreening programme.

Matt Huddlestone, Senior Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland commented:

“One of the Woodland Trust’s main objectives is to create new native woodlands. In Northern Ireland this is urgent considering we live in the least wooded area in Europe with under 9% tree cover. Thanks to our partnership with Northern Ireland Water, we now have access to large areas of land within their care, and this is a huge opportunity for us to increase tree cover here on a landscape scale. The Woodland Trust wants to see a world where woods and trees thrive for nature and people. We create quality native woods and get native trees growing to benefit nature, climate and people into the future.”