Introduction
Welcome to the Coleraine Local Biodiversity Action Plan Project (LBAP). I’m Emma McLaughlin, the Coleraine Biodiversity Officer. I started co-ordinating the three-year project in late August 2006 and I'm delighted to be working in the beautiful north coast doing such an interesting job.
The Coleraine LBAP Project is an innovative partnership between the Ulster Wildlife Trust and Coleraine Borough Council, funded for three years by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Landfill Communities Fund.
Progress of the LBAP Project
The first two years of the project has been really busy, setting up the Coleraine LBAP Steering Group and Partnership (a wider group), working with the Council, engaging with interested organisations, parties and the public.
Launch of Coleraine Borough's Local Biodiversity Action Plan
The Coleraine Borough LBAP was sucessfully launched on the Thursday, 26th June at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart.
Guest speaker, and television presenter with the BBC, Daryll Grimason joined the Mayor of Coleraine Borough Council, Cllr David Barbour and Chairman of the Ulster Wildlife Trust, Pat Boaden in commending the plan as a ‘promising initiative that will lead the way in biodiversity conservation in the Coleraine Borough'.
Please click here for an electronic copy of the Coleraine Borough LBAP; alternatively a hard copy is available on request by contacting the Biodiversity Officer.
The Biodiversity Audit
Biodiversity Audit on the Borough’s habitats and species has recently been completed, we have determined that a remarkable 29 of the 40 NI Priority Habitats for conservation are present in the Borough. Furthermore, 94 of the 272 NI Priority Species and 192 of the 457 NI Species of Conservation Concern have been recorded locally.
Please click here to download a copy of the Coleraine LBAP Audit, alternatively, if you would prefer a hard copy please email emma.mclaughlin@ulsterwildlifetrust.org
Latest News
Coleraine’s wildlife gardeners reap their rewards
Green-fingered residents were honoured by the Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr David Barbour at an awards ceremony at Cloonavin on 8 October 2008 to celebrate wildlife gardening successes in the borough.
The competition, the first of its kind to promote the creation of attractive and welcoming gardens to both wildlife and people, was launched in May 2008 by Coleraine Borough Council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust, as part of its ‘Make Space for Nature’ campaign.
The best private wildlife garden was awarded to Michael and Rosemarie Turpin and family, from Portrush, followed by runner-ups Dr Peter Langton and Sue McBean and family from Coleraine.
Mrs Annie Hamill and family from Portrush, Prof. Tony Bareham and family from Portstewart, and Mrs Selina Archibald and family from Garvagh, all received special commendations.
The best school garden was awarded at the launch of the Coleraine Borough Local Biodiversity Action Planon the 26 June 2008. The winner of the best wildlife school garden was Kilrea Primary School, with Mill Strand Primary School Nursery, Harpurs Hill Primary School and Castleroe Primary School, all receiving special commendations.
Coleraine Borough Wildlife Gardening Competition
In partnership with Ulster Wildlife Trust's 'Make Space for Nature' campaign we are running a wildlife gardening competition to promote gardening for wildife and to find out where some of the wildife-friendly gardens are in the Borough. The closing date for registering interest for private, community and business gardens is now closed but will open again next spring.
Click here for a Registration Form or contact the Biodiversity Officer.
Daubenton’s Bat Waterways Survey
Tina Aughney,Bat Conservation Ireland led a Daubenton's bat survey training session on Wednesday 30th July in Bushmills Town .The training session at the River Bush Salmon Station was followed by a 1 hour session outside along the River Bush. The training night was a great success with many bat species including the daubentons being seen. Inspired from the training 8 teams of volunteers undertook the survey along local rivers in the Coleraine or Moyle/Larne areas in August.
If you are interested in getting involved in the survey next August please contact me.
Contact Details
Emma McLaughlin
Coleraine Biodiversity Officer
Ulster Wildlife Trust
c/o Coleraine Borough Council
Technical Services, Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road
Coleraine, BT52 1EY
T: 028 7034 7272, F: 028 7034 7256
Email: emma.mclaughlin@ulsterwildlifetrust.org
