Image via Aoife Jackson

The aim of NI Environment Week, organised by Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL), is to provide opportunities for MLAs, policymakers, the environmental sector and the public to celebrate Northern Ireland’s environment. A highlight of the environment sector calendar, NI Environment Week runs from 28th September to 4th October, with a focus on Species Recovery this year.

This year, the NI Environment Week launch took place in Stormont’s Long Gallery on Monday 28th September and was well attended by eNGOs, policy representatives, and MLAs alike. The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir attended and spoke alongside Sinn Féin’s environment spokesperson Aoife Finnegan MLA, both reinforcing their commitment to environmental issues in NI and an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Rebecca Lewis of the NI Species Recovery Partnership gave a presentation on the importance of species and species recovery in NI, highlighting guiding principles for species recovery.

The launch event gave NIEL the opportunity to launch a new report, ‘Pathways to 30by30 in NI‘. Presented by Christopher McAteer, NIEL’s Environmental Strategy and Advocacy Manager, he highlighted the findings of the report and urged that a clear framework, action plan, and improved monitoring are urgently needed if Northern Ireland is to achieve 30by30. Paul Armstrong of the Woodland Trust presented the ‘State of NI Woods & Trees‘ report, highlighting the policy challenges for ancient and native woodland across NI.

NIEL members hosted events throughout the week which were open to the public. These events were a great opportunity for members of the public to get involved in species recovery and wider environmental issues across NI.

This year proved to be our busiest Environment Week to date, with almost 30 events organised! The events calendar can be viewed in full below.

NI Environment Week 2026 was sponsored by Action Renewables