Latest news with #natureReserve
BreakingNews.ie
11 hours ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Living example of traditional farmland safeguarded for nature
An area of farmland in Co Fermanagh has been preserved as a nature reserve. The 90-acre area at Fedian has been described as brimming with wildflower meadows, bird-friendly hedgerows and ancient woodland. Advertisement It has now been purchased by nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife as its newest nature reserve thanks to funding support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wildlife Trusts, and gifts in wills from Ulster Wildlife supporters. Fedian Nature Reserve, located close to Derrygonnelly is termed as a living example of traditional farmland, previously owned by the Nixon family and sympathetically managed by local grazier George Ferguson. It is untouched by modern farming methods such as fertiliser and slurry, and its habitats have become a haven for wildlife, including threatened species such as red squirrels, pine martens and otters as well as woodcocks, marsh fritillary butterflies and a wealth of wildflowers. The red squirrel is one of several threatened species now protected at the ancient woodland of Fedian Nature Reserve. Photo: Ulster Wildlife/Adam Gerrard Peter McEvoy, Director of Land Management at Ulster Wildlife, said it is a special place. Advertisement 'When we first stepped foot on Fedian over eight years ago through our Environmental Farming Scheme Group programme, we knew it was a special place, reminiscent of fields that time had forgotten,' he said. 'It is home to one of the few remaining remnants of species-rich grassland and centuries-old woodland in Northern Ireland – two vanishing landscape types that tell the story of what's been lost, and what we still have time to protect. 'This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a site of exceptional nature value, something that would take tens, if not hundreds, of years to recreate.' Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said it awarded £150,000 (€175,000) to help acquire the grasslands of Fedian. Advertisement 'We're committed to supporting nature recovery, and with Ulster Wildlife securing this haven for nature, it means that this vital habitat and the species found there can thrive,' he said. 'It's a wonderful example of our natural heritage, combining precious, ancient woodland and an intact example of pre-war farmland. 'We're so pleased that people will be able to connect with this untouched landscape, whether through its use as a nature-friendly farming demonstration site or on a guided walk.' Ulster Wildlife said Fedian Nature Reserve will continue to be actively farmed, with low numbers of cattle grazed across the site to maintain the wildflower-rich grasslands awash with orchids in summer, from early purple to yellow bird's nest, to swathes of devil's bit scabious. Advertisement Ireland Windfarm must shut down three turbines and pay €36... Read More They also said grazing is vital to ensure the population of Europe's most threatened butterflies, the marsh fritillary, which thrives there, along with the locally rare dingy skipper butterfly. It will not be open for general public access, but will serve as a model for nature-friendly farming, with the charity hosting demonstration events, knowledge-sharing with local farmers, and annual guided walks for the community and Ulster Wildlife members. Mr McEvoy added: 'This is not just about protecting a unique wildlife haven; it's about demonstrating what farming and nature conservation can look like side by side. 'Our aim is for Fedian Nature Reserve to become a beacon for nature-friendly land management, and we're delighted to have been able to secure its future for generations to come.'
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Conservation group buys land near Tobermory giving it new Indigenous name
More land at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula has been protected as a nature reserve, with two levels of government providing funding to buy the approximately one-kilometre-long section of shoreline. Located in an area known as China Cove, Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) said Tuesday it will take ownership of the land just west of Tobermory on Lake Huron. The 29 hectares of forest and wetland had been of interest to developers looking to build cottages but will now be accessible to naturalists and the public, the NCC's Program Director Esme Batten said. "There's only about 8 km left of unprotected and undeveloped shoreline on the northern part of the peninsula, and these habitats are so important for many species, including lake trout and lake whitefish that spawn in near the shore," Batten said Tuesday on Ontario Morning. While the NCC said many private donors contributed to buying the land, the federal government also contributed $940,000, and the Ontario government gave $300,000, both through funds earmarked for conservation. New Indigenous name The land is located near several parks, as well as one end of the Bruce Trail. The area earned its namesake, China Cove, when a ship named The China crashed near the shore in 1883. The NCC said that when it purchased the land, it invited Indigenous board members and Chippewas Of Nawash Unceded First Nation elder Miptoon to the area. "He came out to the property with us, and he heard the water crying out to him, sharing stories of the wreck. He asked that we named the property Aah Mahwi Nibi or Crying Water to honour that history," Batten said. The nature reserve is also home to other species at risk, including the midland painted turtle, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and Hill's thistle. The NCC said it will be working on access points so that the land is accessible to hikers.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Colony Reservoir dries up after warmest spring on record
A reservoir at the Charnwood Lodge nature reserve has dried up due to the "extremely dry" spring, a wildlife organisation has and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT) said all the fish in the water have died at Colony Reservoir in UK recorded its warmest spring on record and its driest in more than 50 years, according to provisional figures from the Met added the reservoir was entirely fed by rainwater run-off from the surrounding hills, but the supply has run out due to the dry weather. A spokesperson said: "It's not a pretty sight up there at the minute. "Because of the remote location it's been impossible to fill up by any other means and it's also made any potential rescuing of the fish impossible, too."The spokesperson added the reservoir can dry up "from time to time" but added that it had not happened "for a number of years".
Trade Arabia
11-06-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Aman plans debut property in Americas
Aman Group has announced its debut property in the Americas - Janu Turks and Caicos - in a private beachfront setting on the shores of Providenciales, Caribbean. This follows the success of its acclaimed first Janu hotel, Janu Tokyo, and is part of the group's robust global pipeline. Janu Turks and Caicos joins a global pipeline of 12 destinations for the brand including the forthcoming Janu Dubai, also under construction, Janu Diriyah and Janu AlUla. Comprising a hotel and a limited number of Janu branded and fully serviced residences, Janu Turks and Caicos will offer a total immersion into its pristine natural surrounds and is created for a new era of restorative travel. Situated on the northwest coast of Providenciales, one of the most picturesque settings in the Caribbean, the hotel and residences rest within the tranquil shores of an 18,000-acre nature reserve, bordering the white-sand beaches and rocky coves of Northwest Point Marine National Park. Currently under construction, the hotel is designed to bring guests together with abundant venues for wellness, dining and socialising, drawing influence from the natural beauty of its setting. Meaning 'soul' in Sanskrit, Janu seeks to enrich lives through transformative experiences and so too, Janu Turks and Caicos will celebrate genuine human interaction and playful expression as well as making social wellness a core part of the experience. Several culinary concepts and a beach club form the beating heart of the resort, in addition to a 50-metre swimming pool and Spa and Wellness Centre which will include an IV Lounge, Meditation Studio and Apothecary Bar. Janu Turks and Caicos will also be home to an exclusive selection of Janu Residences, the majority located directly on the beach with lush jungle landscape behind. Designed for indoor-outdoor living, which is second nature on the island, each residence will offer privileged access to the Janu lifestyle, resort's amenities and dynamic experiences of the property. Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group, said: 'Turks and Caicos is an unrivalled destination in the Caribbean and as part of our strategic vision for Janu, it will be the first home for the brand in the Americas. A location that perfectly embodies Janu's commitment to creating dynamic lifestyle experiences and fostering genuine connection, the property will be a place to immerse in the vibrant energy of the destination while enjoying Janu's visionary luxury hospitality which redefines purposeful travel.' -
BBC News
07-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ilkeston golf course rewilding project nears completion
A new nature reserve created on the former greens and fairways of a municipal golf course will be opened to the public later this ribbon is set to be cut on the 25-acre Pewit Coronation Meadows rewilding project on 24 June followed by a guided to Ilkeston's disused Pewit municipal golf course began in August 2023 to create a patchwork of "open mosaic habitats" to encourage a variety of Erewash Borough Council-owned course had shut in 2022 due to "substantial financial operating losses". More than 1,500 trees and shrubs have been planted including oaks and sweet chestnuts, said the council. A network of new paths and picnic benches have been installed, and wildflower butterfly and bug banks will link to the wider Nutbrook Trail plus the green spaces of Straws Bridge, Manor Floods and Pewit £500,000 project has been funded by central government and businesses involved in the redevelopment of the old Stanton council said Natural England and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust had both backed the February 2024, the council had planned to sell a nine-acre slice of the site for housing but after a campaign said the development proposal "ignored the wishes of local people" a decision was made to rewild the entire site.
