_{Pictured (L-R) Damien O’Mullan, Director of Transformation and Innovation, NI Water; Dr Sara Venning, CEO NI Water and John Martin, Director at the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland pictured at NI Water’s Dunore Point site to mark a major achievement reaching the midpoint in its Regreening Programme to plant one million trees.} 

A million-tree target is in sight for NI Water as the company's commitment to environmental sustainability through its Regreening Programme reaches the midpoint in its 10-year plan.

The initial saplings planted at Dunore Point are now thriving, while the ambitious initiative continues to spread across NI Water land - from Carrickfergus in County Antrim all the way to Annalong and Fofanny in the beautiful Mournes.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said, “I want to congratulate NI Water as they approach the mid-way point on their ambitious target of planting one million trees by 2030. 

“Planting these trees will help to improve water quality, prevent flooding, address air quality and provide safe habitats for wildlife. This also reflects what can be achieved when we all work together to find sustainable ways to reduce our carbon footprint and deal with climate change whilst enhancing these wonderful sites. This is laying down firm roots for our next generation by helping to build a safer, cleaner and greener society.”

Dr Sara Venning CEO NI Water said, “This is a major milestone for us, and we are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished. We believe we are planting more than just trees; we are planting the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren. 

“With Northern Ireland's biodiversity at risk, our position as a major landowner gives us a unique opportunity to lead a positive change. Our collaborative work with Government, the Forest Service and the Woodland Trust has been key to this success, delivering multiple benefits like clean water, flood protection, and enhanced ecosystems. These trees are powerful carbon sinks, making this a vital part of our collective climate action."

John Martin, Director at the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland added, “This is such positive news especially as Northern Ireland holds the unenviable title of the least wooded area in Europe. Our partnership with NI Water has given us a huge opportunity to create new native woodland and it’s encouraging to see the progress we have made together. By working with one of the largest landowners locally we’ve shown that it’s possible to deliver at a landscape scale increasing our native woodland to benefit nature, climate and people.”

John Joe O’Boyle, CEO Forest Service commented, “I very much welcome the achievement of this milestone by NI Water in taking forward its tree planting efforts. This NI Water and Woodland Trust partnership initiative makes a meaningful contribution to DAERA’s Forests for Our Future programme to 2030 and is a powerful example of creating new woodland on public land at scale through positive collaboration. Forest Service is pleased to be involved in supporting the tree planting projects through its forestry grant schemes.” 

Ends

Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com
For further information please visit: www.niwater.com/climatechange

Notes to editors

• In 2020, NI Water pledged to plant 1 million trees over 500 hectares of its land by 2030 as part of its Regreening Programme.
• NI Water has planted c.475,812 trees across several sites:
  - Woodburn – 249,012 trees (the largest woodland creation in Northern Ireland for 30 years).
  - Fofanny – 23,150 trees
  - Dunore – 28,950 trees
  - Annalong – 106,725 trees
  - Stoneyford – 67,975 trees
• The composition of trees planted at Woodburn includes a diverse range of local native species which are UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown (UKISG).
• NI Water is the second biggest landowner in Northern Ireland, after the Forest Service, owning around 11,000 hectares of land. This is made up of 990 hectares of water, 1,210 hectares of forest, 1,540 hectares of peat bogs and 7,260 hectares is agriculture.
• NI Water produces c.90,000 tonnes of operational CO2 per year in the treatment of water and wastewater.