(L-R) Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive, National Museums NI; Aaron ward, Director of Public Engagement, National Museums NI; and Andrew Muir MLA, Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir recently paid a visit to the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra to hear of investment plans for future developments at the site as well as the ongoing work around restoring ancient woodlands there.
During his visit Minister Muir met with some of The Conservation Volunteers who are based at the Ulster Folk Museum. This unique collaboration allows volunteers to connect with the museum and nature in new ways while making a personal contribution to environmental sustainability.
As part of his visit the Minister planted the first tree as part of the Woodland Renewal Project which focuses on restoring the area’s ancient woodlands.
“My visit to the Ulster Folk Museum afforded me the opportunity to see first hand the fantastic work being done through CEDaR – a longstanding partnership between National Museums NI, DAERA, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency," the Minister said.
Established in 1995, the Centre for Environmental Data and recording, (CEDaR) is a longstanding partnership between National Museums NI, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the recording community in Northern Ireland.
It has consistently played a pivotal role in collecting, collating, managing, and disseminating vital wildlife data, essential for informing environmental and biodiversity policy and strategy development, and action.
(L-R) Kausalya Gibson, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV); Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive, National Museums NI;; and Andrew Muir MLA, Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
CEDaR’s Species Surveillance Officer Niamh Carmichael explained the finer detail of the ongoing woodland restoration work ongoing at the grounds of the Ulster Folk Museum. CEDaR staff have been recording the re-appearance of native species following the removal of Laurel on the site and are looking forward to seeing the increase of native species in the area. The area, as Niamh explained, is well used by CEDaR for public training in species identification.
Minister Muir added:
"I also had an opportunity to hear the plans for future development of the museum and meet with some of The Conservation Volunteers who are one of the key partners playing an integral part in the work of restoring the site’s ancient woodland, which has been threatened by the introduction of invasive species, and I was honoured to plant the first native tree as part of this project."
Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Andrew Muir to the Ulster Folk Museum where we were able to share our ambitious plans to 'reawaken' the museum and unlock its potential as an environment and heritage resource.
“We were also able to outline our ongoing Woodland Renewal project which focuses on restoring our ancient woodlands on the site. It was fitting to have the Minister plant the first tree as part of this project. Initiatives such as this are made possible through meaningful collaboration with partners including CEDaR, NIEA, TCV, and the Woodland Trust; and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.”