Wildflower Bouquet for new-look Burntollet Wood
26 August 2009Twenty seven acres of gloriously coloured wildflowers are poised to bloom in celebration of the opening of Burntollet Wood in the beautiful Faughan Valley, just south-east of Londonderry.
The Woodland Trust are inviting visitors to experience the huge transformation to its 23 hectare (58 acre) site - one of the Trust’s largest-ever land purchases in Northern Ireland. Kissing-gates, wooden seats, and several quaint stone bridges have been installed, while over 1.7 kilometres of pathway will lead visitors on a special woodland journey.
Burntollet Wood boasts one of the country’s largest wildflower meadows, with vibrant displays of meadow buttercup, red campion, meadowsweet, lesser knapweed, ox-eye daisy and ragged robin. The flowers, interspersed with red clover, barley and oats, will provide a valuable habitat for numerous species of insects and birds.
The wood’s purchase and works were made possible thanks to funding from Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Forest Service. Support was also received from members of the public, including an amazing boost of £150,000 from an anonymous Canadian tree enthusiast.
According to the conservation charity, the site’s proximity to Ness Country Park, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, makes it “an absolute gem”.
Gregor Fulton, project manager with the Woodland Trust, explained: “Ness Country Park actually contains fragments of rare ancient woodland, dating back to at least 1600. The ancient woods, together with the Burntollet River, are home to some special wild inhabitants including buzzards, otters, and even red squirrels. If we can raise enough funds, we will plant over 36,000 native trees at Burntollet Wood, with tree planting starting this November. The young trees will buffer and extend the nearby woodland, providing an extended haunt for the Valley’s precious wildlife. This really is an important piece of a larger landscape jigsaw – it’s an absolute gem.”
As well as being havens for wildlife, native trees and woods offer numerous benefits to people, providing places for quiet recreation and promoting a sense of well-being. Although their vital role has never been more evident, Northern Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with just over 6 per cent woodland cover compared to the European average of 44 per cent.
The Woodland Trust hopes that groups and individuals from both sides of the border will step out and explore Burntollet Wood this summer; while tree-planting events in November will give everyone the opportunity to roll their sleeves up and make a living, lasting contribution to the landscape.
For further information visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/burntollet or telephone Gregor Fulton at the Woodland Trust on 028 9127 5787.