Working in partnership with The Woodland Trust, High Alert! is a body of work that draws attention to woodlands across Northern Ireland and promotes the goals of the conservation charity in protecting, restoring and creating native woods.
Exhibition
High Alert! forms part of the exhibition ‘Charlotte, Rob, Robin & You’ which takes place at the Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast, between the 10th August and 21st September 2024. A series of three woodland installations will accompany the exhibition. Details for the woodland installations can be found at the bottom of this page.
Photograph(s) by Simon Mills, courtesy of Golden Thread Gallery
The Woodland Trust wants to see a world where trees and woods thrive for nature and people.
Trees and woods are vital for the health of the planet, keeping it habitable. Boosting biodiversity and protecting our wildlife through extending the habitat on which it relies. Our communities are stronger when they have access to green spaces, and that access is currently very unequal. Access to nature has been proven to improve both the physical and mental well-being of people.
Create
The Woodland Trust creates quality native woods, supporting the growth of native trees to benefit nature, climate and people into the future.
High Alert: Northern Ireland is the least wooded area in Europe with under 9% tree cover.
Glas-na-Bradan
Glas-na-Bradan Wood is a new 57 hectare native woodland created by the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland on a 98 hectare bare hill. The native tree species include a mix of birch, alder, oak, scots pine and were all hand planted by the local community. Almost 150,000 trees make up this newly created woodland in the Belfast Hills destined to change the Belfast skyline.
Restore
The Woodland Trust restores the ecological condition of existing woods and trees, to increase resilience and create conditions for nature and people to thrive. The soils and complex ecosystems within these centuries-old woodlands cannot be recreated or replaced. Once they are gone, they are lost forever.
High Alert: Only 0.04% of ancient tree cover remains in Northern Ireland.
Mourne Park
The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has 188 hectares of Mourne Park in its care, including 73 hectares of precious ancient woodland since 2021. The conservation charity is in the process of restoring the ancient woodland by removing invasive species such as rhododendron, to allow the trees to naturally propagate and realised its vision of creating public access in August 2022. Teeming with wildlife and flora, Mourne Park is home to native red squirrels, pine marten, otters, iconic bluebells and cuckoos and a single oak tree is home to more than 2300 species.
Protect
The Woodland Trust protects ancient, veteran and valuable woods and trees, to stop the loss of irreplaceable habitat and carbon stores, preserving our natural heritage.
High Alert: Northern Ireland is ranked 12th-worst out of 240 countries for biodiversity loss.
The Faughan Valley Woodlands
The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has reconnected pockets of ancient trees in the Faughan Valley, and buffered them with newly planted native trees, connecting these trees provides wildlife corridors for species to thrive and enhances the resilience of these fragile habitats.. The conservation charity has also improved access for people to explore and enjoy them by creating access and paths through the valley and along the River Faughan.
Get Outdoors
Woods and trees can improve our health and wellbeing in many ways, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting the immune system.
Along with improving our quality of life, growing scientific evidence is revealing that green spaces can help to make us physically healthier and improve our mental wellbeing. Spending time in nature is a great way to support mental health, as it can boost mood and decrease stress. Exercising in nature can offer a better workout, increase your vitamin D and provide a much more pleasant setting than your average gym.
Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.
Woodland Installations
The High Alert signs will be installed in three Woodland Trust sites on the following weekends:
Glas-na-Bradan Wood, Newtownabbey
16 – 18 August 2024
Find the work at the feature salmon ford, and along the trail to the top of the hill. Glas-na-Bradan Wood is a perfect example of a new native 57 hectare woodland, made up of almost 150,000 native trees planted by hand by the local community. The native trees are a mix of oak, scots pine, rowan, birch and alder.
The Faughan Valley Woodlands, nr Derry/Londonderry
29 August – 2 September 2024
Search for the work at Oaks Wood and at the amphitheatre at Brackfield Wood. The Woodland Trust has been protecting pockets of ancient woodland in the Faughan Valley since for almost 25 years. In August 2023, the conservation charity realised its vision of reconnecting these fragile fragments into the Faughan Valley Woodlands creating corridors for wildlife and greater access to the public.
Mourne Park, Kilkeel
13 – 15 September 2024
Look for the work along the Whitewater River. The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland looks after 188 hectares of Mourne Park, including 73 hectares of precious ancient woodland. The conservation charity is in the process of restoring the ancient woodland by removing invasive species such as rhododendron, to allow the trees to naturally flourish and realised its vision of creating public access in August 2022.