7 June 2000
DOE'S ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE SERVICE AND ULSTER WILDLIFE TRUST SIGN ACCORD FOR FUTURE CO-OPERATION
With devolution still at an early stage a further step was today taken in fostering local co-operation between a government department and a Northern Ireland wildlife conservation body.
As part of the Ulster Wildlife Trust's "Wildlife Week" DOE's Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and the Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) jointly published and launched an accord, which sets out arrangements for future co-operation and liaison between the organisations.
The document describes the approach of both organisations to conserving the environment and wildlife of Northern Ireland and more importantly commits each body to act together to achieve this.
Speaking at the launch of the document today at Scrabo Country Park, Newtownards Jim Lamont, Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service said: "This accord formally ratifies the relationships between the Ulster Wildlife Trust and Environment and Heritage Service built up over many years. By signing up to his accord both organisations are now committed more than
ever to acting together in the interests of conserving nature and the wider environment of Northern Ireland.
"This will require close co-operation in such matters as site management of nature reserves, conservation advice, environmental education, staff training the marine environment, policy development, research and grant-aid."
Speaking on behalf of the Ulster Wildlife Trust their Chairman Dick Jones said, "The formalisation of our relationship with the new DOE via Environment and Heritage Service is an important step in the continuing development of the Ulster Wildlife Trust. The success of this accord will be judged by how both our organisations are seen to be acting on it."
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- Launch Event for ACCORD between DOE's Environment and Heritage Service and the Ulster Wildlife Trust will be on Wednesday 7 June 2000 at 11 am in Scrabo Country Park Newtownards as part of Wildlife Week.
- The title of the published accord between the Environment and Heritage Service and the Ulster Wildlife Trust is "A JOINT STATEMENT OF INTENT" -
- For further information, please contact Philip Maguire DOE Press Office 028 9054 0013/0003 e-mail philip.j.maguire@doeni.gov.uk