Images via Bróna McNeill

During the summer, as part of the Step up for Clean Water campaign, NI Environment Link and National Trust brought local politicians to visit the National Trust site at Divis and the Black Mountain to learn more about the work being done there to restore the site using nature-based solutions and secure a healthier water environment.

During the visit, the group learned about work to restore natural habitats and manage water across the site, demonstrating how working with nature can help address issues such as runoff, erosion and water quality while also delivering wider benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience and people.

The visit also highlighted the important role that nature-based solutions can play beyond individual sites, as part of a wider approach to protecting Northern Ireland’s rivers, lakes and coasts. By restoring wetlands, peatlands and other natural habitats, slowing the movement of water through landscapes and improving soil and land management, nature-based solutions can help reduce pollutants reaching our waterways at source, and reduce flood risk lower down in the catchment.

The visit provided an opportunity for local representatives to explore how these approaches can be supported and scaled through planning, land management and investment to deliver cleaner water and more resilient communities.

The Step up for Clean Water campaign asks decision-makers to commit to taking action to ensure nature-based solutions are prioritised in planning, development and land use decision-making.

Has your MLA signed the Clean Water pledge yet? Visit the Step up for Clean Water page for more info:

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