Nature awareness campaign launched

The Environment and Heritage Service has today launched a new campaign to help people appreciate nature.

The 'It's in our nature' campaign results from research showing that most people in Northern Ireland have never actually seen a red squirrel, and over half of the population do not know when the brent geese return to our local shores each year.

The survey showed that almost a third of people did not know that blue eyed grass is a wildflower and almost one in four did not believe that there are sharks in local waters.

Peter Cush of EHS' Biodiversity Unit explains why the 'It's in our nature' campaign is taking such a novel approach. He said: "At first sight biodiversity may seem a difficult scientific term and but the truth is that it's actually very simple. Biodiversity is just the variety of life, including you and every living thing around you. Whether you live in the heart of a city or in the middle of the countryside, nature is on your doorstep.

"This campaign is a celebration of Northern Ireland's very special biodiversity and about some of the species which we need protect and care for. But ultimately it is about encouraging people to get out and enjoy what's on their doorstep. Here it's in our nature to take more notice of what's around us, enjoy it and look after it. We want to say very clearly that biodiversity isn't just for scientists or environmentalists, it's for everyone to enjoy and take responsibility for."

He added: "We feature four stars including the red squirrel, blue-eyed grass, brent geese and the basking shark as never seen before locally - in cartoon form."

The campaign has been developed by EHS's Biodiversity Unit in partnership with a wide range of conservation groups and business throughout the province.

It has a specially devised logo to help people recognise events, venues and publications which can help raise their understanding of biodiversity.

Activities include a range of advertising, featuring the four 'star' species - all of which are classed as Priority Action species for Northern Ireland, which gives them special protection.

A new website has been launched to enable people to find out more about the campaign's 'stars' and about biodiversity, and to discover how to enjoy what Northern Ireland has to offer and even how to make a difference.

The web address is: www.biodiversityni.com

(EF/GB)