As the Stormont crisis rumbles on politicians are being reminded that they have a role to play in safeguarding the north’s vulnerable species.
The first-ever Northern Ireland Environment Week has now drawn to a close after giving the region’s political representatives a timely reminder that the environment is one of the issues that requires their urgent attention.
The week, which was organised by Northern Ireland Environment Link, saw the launch of an exciting initiative that could see MLAs getting back to nature and learning more about species that need help – some much-beloved, others lesser known.
During an event in Parliament Buildings hosted by Anna Lo, chairperson of the Assembly Environment Committee, MLAs were introduced to the Northern Ireland Species Champions initiative.
NIEL’s parliamentary and development officer Sean Kelly says local politicians are being encouraged to choose a species within their own constituency that is facing “significant threats” to their future and to champion their survival.
“Each of the species is currently affected by a range of human impacts such as development-driven habitat loss, climate change and pollution,” he adds.
There is a wide range of species to choose from, including the Irish hare, corncrake, red squirrel and barn owl to the Killarney fern, smooth cat’s-ear, small cow-wheat and river water-crowfoot!
“Once public representatives have chosen their species they will learn first-hand from local environmental organisations who they can then work together with to provide a brighter future for these species, spread that knowledge throughout the political community and shape policy to promote and secure biodiversity.
“By championing wildlife and developing relationships between civic and political society, the intention is that by working collaboratively we can improve the future for nature and go some way towards meeting our international commitments to halt biodiversity loss,” Sean says.
First out of the gate is Ms Lo who has chosen to further the cause of the swift, which is listed as Amber on the Irish and UK Birds of Conservation Concern lists because of declines in excess of 25 per cent over a 25 year period.
Commenting on the week, she says: “I hope that the links that were forged during this week between communities, the sector and elected representatives continue to flourish; and that this will lead to measures, like that of species champion, to protect and preserve our natural and built environments. The committee hopes that this first Environment Week will continue to grow for many years to come.”
Her colleague and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, who is now championing the European hedgehog, suggests that as budgets come under “increasing pressure” it is the north’s environmental NGO sector that will provide the “expertise and enthusiasm” needed to secure match funding and harnessing volunteers.
The beauty of NIEL’s Species Champion initiative is that it really can produce results.
Initially the brainchild of Scottish Environment Link, it was first launched in January 2013 to mark the Year of Natural Scotland.
A spokeswoman for the NGO reveals that of the 129 MSPs in Scottish Parliament, there are currently 76 MSPs acting as Species Champion for some 88 species “as some very enthusiastic ones have adopted more than one species”!
“The initiative has undoubtedly raised the profile of Scotland’s species among politicians,” she adds.
Tory MSP Mary Scanlon is championing the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, a rare species endangered by degraded freshwater habitats and illegal pearl fishing.
She has secured a Members Debate in Parliament and has asked around 40 Parliamentary Questions about Freshwater Pearl Mussels, their habitat and wildlife crime.
The SNP’s Rob Gibson also frequently refers to his species, the Rusty Bog Moss, in Parliament and regularly promotes peatland conservation.
To learn more about the work of NIEL visit www.nienvironmentlink.org.
