Author Archives: Lee Bruce
Trees in the spotlight at Stormont
Trees and woods have been high on the political agenda recently. Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA visited Drumlamph Wood. Just outside Maghera, Drumlamph is one of our rare and precious ancient woodlands, buffered by thousands of recently planted native trees. … Continue reading
Election promises fade as the Forest Service cuts targets
In the run up to the Northern Ireland Assembly election in May, three of the political parties pledged to increase forest cover in Northern Ireland. At the Trust we welcomed the strong democratic mandate tree planting enjoys at Stormont and called … Continue reading
Northern Ireland: time to deliver
The new Executive promises much for Northern Ireland’s woodland heritage. The Northern Ireland Executive was formed last week with the ministerial posts divided between five of the political parties at Stormont. Peter Robinson, leader of the DUP, and Martin McGuinness … Continue reading
Political parties pledge to plant trees
It’s been an exciting time for our Public Affairs teams in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the months before the elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Trust had asked all the political parties to commit to both … Continue reading
Real growth is green growth
Green growth is the stated objective of the Government which still says it seeks to be ‘the greenest ever’. The forthcoming Natural Environment White paper should reinforce the point that a healthy natural environment is the foundation of a healthy … Continue reading
Planting trees in coalition
Today we have been discussing with e-politix the importance of the new Coalition Government fulfling their manifesto promises to increase woodland cover. David Cameron and Nick Clegg at their first press conference together As you will remember from the Trust’s general election campaign, we called … Continue reading
BBC discusses the Forestry Bill with the Trust
Yesterday the Woodland Trust’s Northern Ireland Director, Patrick Cregg, discussed the forestry legislation with the BBC’s Mike McKimm. You can watch the interview here. The Trust has worked in partnership with the RSPB NI to advocate the need for the … Continue reading
Trust podcasts its general election campaign with e-politix
Today I discussed the Trust’s general election manifesto with e-politix.com an online Parliamentary communications forum for all those engaged with politics at Westminster. You can listen to the podcast or read the detailed briefing notes here. As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity we want … Continue reading
Climate change adaptation is ‘essential’ says EAC.
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has published its report on its recent inquiry into ‘Adapting to climate change’. Last Thursday’s report provides welcome recognition that ‘adapting to climate change is at least as essential as cutting greenhouse … Continue reading
Stormont Committee publishes its report on the Foresty Bill (NI)
Yesterday the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee published its recommendations for the Forestry Bill. As discussed previously, the Woodland Trust and RSPB NI have been working in partnership and pushed for the legislation to recognise the wider social and environmental … Continue reading
