Bringing Burntollet Wood to the Faughan Valley

Burntollet Wood will be a valuable addition to the tranquil Faughan Valley; but it can only happen with your help.  Your support will help make our plans to plant 36,000 native trees a reality, while helping with the long-term management of this 23 hectare (58 acre) site.

The site has a wonderful location, sitting adjacent to Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Ness Country Park – an Area of Special Scientific Interest which contains fragments of rare ancient woodland.  And running through the step wooded glen of the Country Park is the beautiful Burntollet River – a tributary of the River Faughan and internationally renowned for its salmon population. The ancient woods, together with the river, are home to some special wild inhabitants, including buzzards, otters, and even red squirrels.

Ancient woodland – a rare treasure

Northern Ireland ranks badly as one of the least wooded regions in Europe, with just over six per cent woodland cover, compared to the European average of 44 per cent.  And with ancient woodland (land continuously wooded since at least 1600) covering a mere 0.08 per cent of the Northern Ireland landscape, every opportunity to protect and extend this natural resource is truly precious.
The new planting at Burntollet Wood will buffer the nearby fragments of mature and ancient woodland, slowly linking habitats together and providing an extended haunt for the Valley’s precious wildlife.

Planting for the future

Over the past decade we have planted over half a million trees in Northern Ireland and involved thousands of people in practical woodland activities.  We are extremely keen to work closely with members of the public and hope that communities from both sides of the border will take part in tree planting at Burntollet Wood this March.  The end result will be a living, lasting legacy for our future generations.

Work to-date

Thanks to grant-aid and public support, the young wood is already taking shape.  Kissing-gates, wooden seats and several quaint stone bridges have been installed, while over 1.7 km of pathways will lead you on your journey.  Summertime visitors will be greeted by 11 hectares (27 acres) of multi-coloured wildflowers; at least six species of flower - including ox-eye daisy, cornflower and corn marigold - currently grace the meadow.

We need your help

The land at Burntollet offers an exceptional opportunity to make a big difference to a fragmented ancient woodland complex.  Your support is therefore of great importance to our success.  Please donate today and help us complete this precious landscape jigsaw.