Species Champions asks Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to lend political support to the protection of Northern Ireland’s threatened wildlife by becoming “Species Champions”
Inspired by the Scottish Environment Link Wildlife Forum’s launch of The Scottish Species Champions, the Northern Ireland Species Champion Initiative was launched by Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) in October 2015. The purpose of the Initiative is to create greater awareness of wildlife conservation issues through championing wildlife and developing stronger relationships between the civic and political society; with the intention of working collaboratively to improve the future for nature in Northern Ireland.
The species involved in the Species Champion Initiatives face significant threats by human activities such as development–driven habitat loss, climate change and pollution. They are also considered priority species (published in the NI or Irish biodiversity action plan, iconic species or representative of a species group).
Species champions will be able to learn first–hand from eNGOs with relevant expertise in conservation of the particular species within their constituency and with whom you can work together with to spread the knowledge and create awareness throughout the political community, shape policy to promote and secure biodiversity and to provide a brighter future for these species.
Images (L–R top row) ©Anthony McGreehan, ©ESH Images for Mugs, ©Roy Anderson, ©Bat Conservation
Images (L–R bottom row) ©Robert Thompson, ©Ben Andrew,
©Pete Ekqvist, ©Seamus Burns
