NI Environment Link

Volunteers' Week 2026 is just around the corner & we are hosting a special free conference at Ulster University in Belfast. Celebrate the power of recognition & reward in volunteering & pick up some free Volunteers’ Week merchandise while you’re there! ow.ly/pzsF50Z0Yik

Register for our Environmental Hackathon as part of Belfast Learning Festival! Join us on 10th June for an event that highlights environmental challenges and encourages interaction and ideas on working towards a valued, resilient, healthy environment: bit.ly/4dwMUVD

DAERA Minister @AndrewMuirNI outlines action he is seeking to take to tackle sewage pollution in Northern Ireland. @niassembly

DAERA Minister @AndrewMuirNI has announced that a new £2.2million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) is now open for applications. More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/ps22milli… @ruralaction_ni @RuralSupport @RuralCommNet @RuralNetworkNI @DiscoverCAFRE @UFUHQ @nibusinessinfo @deptcom

Hundreds of people participated in a protest demanding urgent environmental action to protect Lough Neagh on Sunday. The lough, the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake by surface area, has been blighted by noxious blooms of blue-green algae in recent summers. The cause has been put down to an excess of nutrients from a number of sources, including waste water, septic tanks and agriculture, exacerbated by climate change and the invasive species zebra mussels. Lough Neagh supplies 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water and sustains a major eel fishing industry. The event started at the Battery Harbour in Co Tyrone and retraced the route of an anti-lignite mining protest in 1986 to Ardboe High Cross on the shores of the lough. 🎥 Mal McCann

🌟 The Engagement for Change fund has grants up to £100,000 to support more women into the forums of public debate and policy-making. Apply by 22 May ➡️ ow.ly/8v6Z50YWrP8 #EmpowerChange

Concerned that nature is being threatened by a planning proposal? Looking to create more spaces for nature within new developments? Check out RSPB's Planning for Nature Toolkit and make a stand for nature: bit.ly/4flHpvx @Natures_Voice

🚲 Belfast Cycling Network 🚲 Ravenhill Rd/ Ormeau Embankment scheme Thanks to everyone for calling into our engagement event yesterday. If you couldn’t make it, find out more and have your say here: infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/… 💻 You can also email us 👉 activetravel@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk The closing date for comments is 26 May.

Looking to get more involved in your community or local environmental action? Join @isupportlhlh for a relaxed drop-in event to meet local people passionate about environmental action and discover ways to get involved in your community. What to expect: 🌳Meet organisations leading environmental projects 🤝Learn how to get involved in hands-on initiatives 💰Discover funding and support available for environmental projects 💭Chat with like-minded people and share ideas Drop in anytime – no formal schedule, just friendly conversations! 📍Read more here: climatenorthernireland.org.uk/events/belfast…

Job Alert! Closing Tomorrow! Irish Environmental Network is seeking to appoint the following positions: CHANGE Digital Officer CHANGE Senior Programme Officer For more info, visit: bit.ly/4dnMcdu @IrishEnvNet

Public urged to remain vigilant for sightings of Asian hornets as monitoring activity continues in Dundonald. More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/daera-urg… @nidirect @InvasNI @EnvironmentNI @cedarrecordsni @DiscoverCAFRE @AFBI_NI

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has welcomed at Belfast’s Grand Central Station an investment of £548m in new trains operating between Belfast and Dublin. Due for delivery late in 2028, the new Intercity trains – based on Stadler’s proven FLIRT platform - have been purpose designed for the Enterprise route and will deliver a major step change in comfort and customer experience. The project is jointly funded by the NI Executive, Department for Infrastructure, the Government of Ireland, Department of Transport, and supported with €165m through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. The Minister said: “I am delighted to be part of this momentous occasion to highlight the overall investment £548m, of which over £200m is being provided by my Department. This represents investing with confidence in a modern, sustainable and connected transport future. It demonstrates our intent on delivery and our commitment to connecting communities, supporting the economy, developing tourism and most importantly of all modernising and improving services for the travelling public” Watch ⤵️ More details: seupb.eu/latest/news/fi… @niexecutive @GovIE @Dept_Transport @LizKimminsSF @Translink_NI @IrishRail @NIOgov @SEUPB

Springwatch 2026 will be setting up home in the woodlands and historical ruins of the National Trust's Crom Estate on the shores of Lough Erne. bbc.in/3QQSVFf

DAERA Minister @AndrewMuirNI celebrates Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme awards of £1.65million to 1,029 rural voluntary and community sector organisations. More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-…

DAERA Minister @AndrewMuirNI has launched the first edition of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) Newsletter, providing farm businesses across Northern Ireland with a clear overview of new and emerging support under the Programme. More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-…

Interested in working in the environmental NGO sector? Multiple environmental jobs and volunteering opportunities are open for applications! For more info visit: bit.ly/4evW2Mv

📢Have your say! There's still time to have your say on a proposed new strategic approach to the management of resources and waste in Northern Ireland. 📅Consultation closes on 6th May 2026. 🔗Respond: tinyurl.com/mryt6wza

💻Public information webinar on the Significant Water Management Issues report/consultation 📅 Thursday 7 May 🕙2pm-3pm 💻Via MS Teams 📧To receive joining link register at tinyurl.com/3wkvyfsa

Miss our newsletter last week? Our latest issue is available here: bit.ly/4teNJZ0 sign up today: bit.ly/40y37DH

⚠️If you suspect Blue-Green algae-Report suspected blooms: 📲On Bloomin Algae App-submitting photo of algae bloom ceh.ac.uk/our-science/pr… 📧emergency-pollution@daera-ni.gov.uk ☎️0800 80 70 60 🔗 More at: daera-ni.gov.uk/blue-green-alg… @nidirect @belfastcc @DiscoverNI @EnvironmentNI