Ministers visit innovativetree nursery at Magilligan Prison

Justice Minister Naomi Long and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir are pictured with Aisling Gribbin from the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust during a visit to Magilligan Prison where they viewed a new tree nursery which is part of an environmental scheme aimed at protecting and developing new Irish woodland.

In a landmark initiative blending environmental stewardship with rehabilitation, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir visited a pioneering tree nursery at Magilligan Prison this week.

The nursery, capable of producing up to 70,000 native trees annually, forms part of the ‘Justice for Woodlands’ project, a collaborative effort aimed at bolstering Northern Ireland’s woodland ecosystems while offering prisoners valuable skills and community engagement.

Located within the secure walls of Magilligan Prison, the nursery cultivates a variety of native species, including Holly, Guelder-rose, Hazel, Crab-apple, Willow, Bird-cherry, and Wild-cherry.

Established in 2022, the project is a joint venture between Magilligan Prison, the Binevenagh Landscape Partnership Scheme, the Woodland Trust, and the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. It was kickstarted with a £54,190 grant from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, marking a significant step towards ecological and social restoration.

During their visit, Ministers Long and Muir engaged with prison staff and inmates involved in the nursery’s operations, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of the initiative. The nursery not only contributes to environmental goals but also equips prisoners with horticultural skills, fostering a sense of purpose and connection to the community.

Justice Minister Naomi Long praised the project’s dual benefits, stating:

“This project will build on ecological and climate resilience by providing native trees for the creation of new woodland or expanding existing woodland. A significant element of the tree planting is also connecting people with nature. Prisoners are learning new skills and, through educational opportunities and external training on tree nursery maintenance and development, they are growing trees for communities against which they have offended.”

The initiative aligns with broader environmental objectives, as highlighted by Minister Andrew Muir.

“Additional tree and woodland planting will be essential to enable us to mitigate against climate change and to deliver nature recovery,” he said.

“I am delighted with the progress that this project has achieved since the initial funding from my Department. Many of the native trees grown by the prisoners and staff at Magilligan will be planted in woodland expansion projects across Northern Ireland to create a long-lasting legacy from which our communities will benefit.”

A distinctive feature of the nursery is its commitment to using locally sourced seeds and cuttings, reducing reliance on imported stock and minimising the risk of introducing diseases to native tree populations. This approach underscores the project’s role as a model for sustainable forestry practices. As Minister Muir noted:

“It is also good to see trees being grown from local seeds and cuttings. Planting locally grown trees reduces the need for us to import trees and lowers the risk of bringing diseases into local populations.”

Aisling Gribbin, a representative from the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, emphasised the nursery’s uniqueness.

“The Magilligan Tree Nursery is the first large-scale nursery of its kind in Northern Ireland and only the second in Ireland which does not rely on European imported stock,” she said. “The prisoners are integral to a lot of the seed collection, processing, and managing the trees in the nursery, and they also play a part in the planting of the new trees in the local community.”

The ‘Justice for Woodlands’ project represents a harmonious blend of environmental conservation and restorative justice. By involving prisoners in every stage—from seed collection to tree planting—the initiative not only contributes to woodland expansion but also offers inmates a chance to make amends through meaningful work.

The trees grown at Magilligan are destined for planting across Northern Ireland, promising a greener future and a lasting legacy for communities.

As Northern Ireland grapples with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, the Magilligan Tree Nursery stands as a beacon of innovation and hope. It demonstrates how collaborative efforts, underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and rehabilitation, can yield benefits for both the environment and society. For the prisoners involved, the project offers not just skills but a chance to reconnect with nature and contribute to a cause greater than themselves.