Landscapes NI is the network of all our designated and iconic landscapes in Northern Ireland and members are the organisation who seek to help manage these amazing places.

The vision of Landscapes NI is ““Cherished landscapes benefiting people and nature in Northern Ireland.”

Survey on Landscapes

One of the agreed progress indicators for landscapes NI was for the development of an annual survey aimed at organisations and individuals connected to the environment sector (NIEL members and individual members of organisations).

The survey was launched in October at the Landscapes NI Stormont event and promoted on the website and social media. Members also were active in promoting it through their own channels. It closed on 31^st December 2024 and a total of 259 unique responses were received which was provides great baseline data for the landscape sector. The full report on the survey is available on Landscapes NI Website here. An infographic highlighting the key findings was also developed and is also available to download here.

There were lots of fascinating findings from the survey and it will be great to compare data over time. However there was very strong and clear messaging from the stakeholders about the importance of our landscapes for people and nature. 99% of respondents indicated that Landscapes are essential (66%) or important (33%) for the health and wellbeing of NI citizens and 97% indicating that they are essential (76%) or important (21%) for nature recovery and increasing biodiversity.

 

91% of respondents also noted that landscape level interventions are essential (62%) or important (29%) for carbon sequestration and climate action. This is really important in our peaty uplands and other areas of blanket bog.  One of the most interesting elements of the survey was the ranking that respondents gave to the work priorities of the landscape management organisations. Respondents were asked to rank in order of importance their top 5 elements. The elements ranked first were given a score of 5 and those that were ranked second, a score of 4 etc. This provided a “score” in terms of the work priorities. Habitat restoration for wildlife came out on top by a very long way (913 points) followed by engagement and education of the public on responsibilities and environmental sensitivities (424 points) and liaison with farmers on nature friendly methods (412 points).

 

Training courses

Through networking and engagement a training programme was developed and in 2024 there were eleven separate training events and to date in 2025 there have been four events. There have been 158 participants on the courses over the past 18 months and a very short survey was sent to participants immediately afterwards to try and capture their feedback. Participants were asked to rank a number of factors from 0 – 10 (whereby 0 = not at all and 10 = extremely.

The feedback both last year and to date in 2025 has been extremely positive with participants ranking both the enjoyment and the value of the training on average above 9 / 10.

 

 

 

Study visit

On 20 – 22nd May 2025, a delegation of 13 people from Landscapes NI organisations and partners were involved in a study visit to the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. The aims for the visit were as follows:

1. To build connections and collaboration with our nearest neighbours in GB in South West Scotland.
2. To understand more on the work and role of a Biosphere recognition.
3. To gain ideas, knowledge and inspiration through seeing alternative approaches and projects.
4. To increase dialogue and networking between Landscapes NI Members and partners.

The programme for the 3 days was extremely full but varied with presentations, discussions and site visits. There were significant learning opportunities with discussions on varied topics including community wealth building, Scottish “National Scenic Areas”, native oyster growing, land use in the biosphere, the development of a “Natural Capital Innovation Zone”, biodiversity gain, business development and accreditation, long term sustainable funding.

 

The Key take aways from the exchange were:

1. The scale of the biosphere was very significant but also there was significant buy in from the 3 local authorities.
2. The use of the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals was very clear in all aspects of the Biosphere work and this is something we could consider more for Landscapes NI.
3. The range of work undertaken by the Biosphere team is very similar to that which is done by landscape management organisations in NI with strong focus on community engagement and education but also on sustainable businesses.
4. The idea of developing a policy position paper (PPP) on trees in the landscapes was strongly supported by members present.
5. There was also discussion on developing a PPP on 30 x 30 and how landscapes can contribute to this.
6. There is the potential to do some work jointly in LNI on a framework for sustainable business charter or “mark” that could be adapted and adopted by individual members but has a clear connection to a central system.
7. There could be a potential to develop “Communities” linked to an AONB or Geopark in Northern Ireland.

 

Mike McClure Landscapes NI Development Manager

This work has been made possible through the kind support and funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Action Renewables.