£1.2m project for valley

Derry City Council, the Rural Area Partnership in Derry (RAPID) and the Woodland Trust are working together in order to deliver The Faughan Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme.

It aims to create a vibrant natural landscape and restore key features of the built heritage, whilst encouraging locals to access and appreciate the diversity of the landscape.

Mayor Devenney said: “This is a welcomed and significant amount of investment for the area and we urge landowners who come under this remit to use this funding, as this will not only have sustainable benefits for them but in doing so, the outstanding landscape will be transformed in a way which benefits the natural environment and ecosystem.”

Landscape Officer Jonathon Henderson has been appointed by Derry City Council to facilitate the creation of 100 hectares of new native woodland in the Valley during the course of the four year project.

Mr Henderson said: “Thanks to funding from Forest Service and Heritage Lottery Fund, we’re making it easy for farmers and landowners in Faughan Valley to turn unused land into flourishing native woodland. We’re offering all the help and advice they need to get planting underway.”

The Woodland Trust cites many reasons for the transformation of unused land; trees and woodlands provide shelter and shade for livestock and homes for wildlife, help prevent flooding and improve both air and water quality in the area.

Mr Henderons said tree-planting was a good environmentally friendly revitalisation method: “With rising energy costs, more and more people are now planting for wood fuel.

“Home-grown firewood can be available within 7 to 15 years of planting with annual sustainable supplies thereafter. “Around two to three hectares of new native woodland will produce enough fuel to heat a typical three-bedroom house.”

The Faughan Valley project covers an area of 170 square kilomentres extending from the foothills of North Sperrins, along the River Faughan, to the outskirts of the city of Londonderry.

To find out more or apply for this year’s tree-planting offer contact Jonathon Henderson at Derry City Council on 028 71 337498 or 0771 8694172 email [email protected]