Thanks to The News Letter for sharing this article highlighting the challenges farmers in the Belfast Hills face from illegal scrambler use. www.newsletter.co.uk/country-and-...

Bookings are now live!

We are delighted to announce that we are teaming up with The Edible Flower for a Spring Greens foraging walk and cooking class at Colin Allotments! Tickets are £30 per person and go live tomorrow morning at 10.30am - set your reminders now to avoid disappointment! belfasthills.org/events/sprin...

Farmers have a unique role in safeguarding the natural environment. To highlight the positive steps being taken in the Belfast Hills, we have sat down with three young farmers, including Martin, to discuss the nature friendly farming practices: belfasthills.org/newsroom/far...

Thanks to Farming Life for highlighting our ongoing work to tackle rural crime in the Belfast Hills. www.farminglife.com/business/ufu...

We're delighted to team up with Green Woodwork Ireland for a Spoon Woodcarving Workshop as part of our Belfast Tree Strategy programming with Belfast City Council. Friday 20th March from 10am - 2pm Bookings go live tomorrow morning at 10am! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spoon-wood...

Logainmneacha Shléibhte Bhéal Feirste le @cnagaeilge.bsky.social Bígí linn agus foghlaim faoi stair na logainmneacha ar shléibhte Bhéal Feirste, an tábhacht a bhaineann leo agus iad mar chuid dár n-oidhreacht roinnte. Saor in aisce: belfasthills.org/events/logai... @snagaeilge.bsky.social

Carnmoney comes from the Irish ‘Carn Monaidh’ meaning ‘cairn of the hill’. There was likely to have been a cairn - a stone pile marking a burial site - on the hilltop which could place human influence on Carnmoney Hill as far back as the Bronze Age, two thousand years ago. #placenames

We're delighted to launch our 2026 Events Programme! We hope there is something here for everyone; from those interested in history & heritage to nature lovers & those looking for family friendly events. You can visit our website for more information: belfasthills.org/events/

⚠️ We've had reports of seabirds washing up. Please report ALL species of dead birds ⬇️ 📍 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/... 📍 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/... 📍 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv... #UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

We are delighted to feature in today's Country Diary in @theguardian.com Read about Mary Montague's reflections on participating in a riverfly survey here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Apply for our Young Bird Observatory Visitors Programme grant ➡️ www.bto.org/ybov Each year the BTO provide a number of grants of up to £250, to support young people looking to visit one of the accredited British and Irish Bird Observatories. Closing date: Sunday 1 March. #UKBirding

Collinward is an Anglicised version of the Irish, ‘Coll an Bhaird’, hazel of the baird. The hazel tree is associated with fertility, wisdom & protective powers against evil. The ‘baird’ was more than likely a poet from the O'Hagan clann & allocated to the Gaelic lords of the area, the O’Neills.

‪2 very last minute spaces have just opened up for our FREE Tree Nursery event tomorrow (Tuesday 17 February) as part of the @niscifest.bsky.social! Snap them up here: belfasthills.org/events/ni-sc...

Spotted clouds of frogspawn or the first bright yellow burst of Lesser Celandine? We want to hear from you! If you have spotted early signs of Spring please submit your sightings to our website. This is one of the easiest ways to help nature #citizenscience belfasthills.org/biodiversity...

2 spaces have just opened up for our FREE Tree Nursery event on Tuesday 17 February as part of the @niscifest.bsky.social! Move quickly, this event booked out extremely quickly: belfasthills.org/events/ni-sc...

The modern name Cave Hill is fairly self-explanatory as there are a series of 5 caves in the basalt face of the rock. A 15th century Irish source refers to it as ‘Beann Uamha’ (hill of the cave). It's also known as ‘Beann Mhadagáin’ or Ben Madigan, referring the Ancient Irish King, Matudán (857 AD)

We welcomed a group of students from @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social Dentistry & the QUB Dental School Sustainability Committee to the hills on Saturday for some tree planting. The students got stuck in despite the wet weather and we planted an amazing 225 native saplings! Well done everyone.

Ligoniel Improvement Association currently have a vacancy for a Regeneration Project Coordinator. If you are interested in applying please email [email protected] or call 028 9039 1225 to request an application pack.

Introducing...the Trainee Ranger class of 2025-6! 🎓 Last night our Trainee Rangers attended their Celebration Night after they successfully completed the 15 week Scheme. This was a chance for the young people to showcase the work they done & celebrate their achievements. Well done everyone!

Squires Hill is supposedly named for Henry Le Squire – a 17th century lawyer, Constable of the Castle and Sovereign of Belfast (from 1635-36 and again in 1639). George Benn’s ‘History of Belfast’ deems him ‘the most important inhabitant of Belfast at that time.’ #placenames

Farmers have a unique role in safeguarding the natural environment. We sat down with young farmers to discuss the nature friendly & climate adaptive farming practices that are being employed to consolidate the future of our food systems & the Belfast Hills. belfasthills.org/newsroom/far...

Wolf Hill comes from the belief the last wolf in Ireland was killed at this alleged spot in 1692. However, a few places throughout Ireland that lay claim to this title. Early records indicate that 'Sleacht an Fhir Mhór' was the name of this hill, which translates directly as ‘cairn of the big man’.

Our new ‘Journey to 30x30’ project funded by DAERA is joining a global movement to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. In the Belfast Hills, we will be working directly with farmers, quarries and community groups to restore nature on their land. Check out our webpage- lnkd.in/ejpEqTfw

The Big Walks are returning for 2026! The walks celebrating Imbolc take place on Sunday 1 February 2026 with various starting times depending on the route you choose (Cave Hill, Divis & the Black Mountain or Ligoniel Dams). Booking is essential for this free event: belfasthills.org/events/belfa...

Divis is the highest peak in the Belfast Hills standing at 478m above sea level. Its name comes from the Irish word, ‘Dubhais’ meaning black ridge. Similarly Black Mountain is a translation of the Irish ‘Sliabh Dubh’. Both names refer to the dark black basalt bedrock of their formations. #placenames

From Monday 26 Jan you may find some changes to Divis & Black Mt as the next phase of works begin: Upper car park closed, lower car park available Temporary toilets available Summit & Ridge Trails remain open, but circular routes aren't available. Clear signage in place to help you plan your visit.

Community Development Officer - Mourne Park with Woodland Trust, homebased with travel to Mourne Park and around Northern Ireland, full-time, permanent position c-js.uk/4qnsLqk

We are aware of a security alert on the Divis Road. Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area. If you were planning on heading to Divis & the Black Mt today we ask you seek an alternative site. Please visit our website for more information: belfasthills.org/visiting/hil...

Collin is the Hill that rises above the Colin Glen. The name derives from the Irish word, “Collan” which translates directly as mountain, hill, or slope. “Collan” has retained its pronunciation, but the spelling was changed over the years, perhaps to align it with Anglicised spelling. #placenames

Tuesday 13th January 7.30 to 9pm Michael Meharg talk: "Future Natural - winners and losers - how climate change may shape Northern Ireland" - the changes over time, we are now, and the future of habitats and species. Zoom - [email protected] if not a BNFC member

PhD opportunity: An exploratory study of green mobility strategies in Belfast www.ulsteruniges.com/post/phd-opp...

Welcome to our new series, Place Names of the Belfast Hills. This is a weekly series where we will uncover the stories behind the names of the Belfast Hills & exploring how they have been shaped by human history over time. First up here’s a reminder of what the Hills are called.

January is dog walking month & we are asking everyone visiting the Hills to take the lead & be a responsible dog owner! This means keeping dogs on leads, respecting other walkers & cleaning up any mess. These simple acts help keep the Hills clean & inviting for all.

Ulster Wildlife: Trainees, placements and volunteering opportunities www.ulsteruniges.com/post/ulster-...

Our wonderful Tree Nursery Volunteers took a break from their usual duties & enjoyed a festive morning of Christmas crafts, snacks & songs! Thank you to each & every person who has dedicated their time to our Native Tree and Wildflower Nursery, it is always greatly appreciated.

We are delighted to announce the return of the Wild Youth NI Hills Youth Ranger Scheme for 2026! 🤩 Young people aged 18-25 will have the opportunity to do their bit for the Belfast Hills while gaining practical experience. belfasthills.org/projects/wil...

Many thanks to everyone who joined our online talk last month with National Trust NI Archaeologist Mal Conway. For anyone who missed out the talk is now available to watch back on our YouTube - perfect for the dark evenings! www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_mb...

To mark National Tree Week 2025 Belfast Hills Partnership made it out for the first tree planting sessions of the year. belfasthills.org/newsroom/tre...

We were delighted to attend the launch of 4 Corners Festival Belfast last night and to receive a generous donation. This donation will contribute to tree planting across the Hills and help the festival towards becoming carbon neutral. Thank you.

Our Forest in a Box project, launched during National Tree Week 2023, continues to flourish. For #nationtreeweek2025 we have recently returned to Edgcumbe Day Centre & Euston Street PS to harvest saplings & replenished the boxes with new seeds and compost for next year.

Biodiversity is *crucial* to our wellbeing. We need to stop treating it as expendable. share.google/pKw8odZguEG8...

Please note that Divis & the Black Mt is closed today due to snow and ice.

Today we’re saying a big #ThanksToYou to all National Lottery Players. Through National Lottery funding we are able to make a difference in young people’s lives with the delivery of programmes such as our Trainee Ranger Scheme.

History buffs, hikers, hard-to-please gift receivers – we’ve got them all covered this Christmas with the Belfast Hills Ordnance Survey Map! For just £4 you can get someone special the perfect gift to get them motivated to explore what’s on their doorstep. bit.ly/3UYIRXT

The facilities including toilets and upper car park at Divis & the Black Mountain will be closed today, due to icy road conditions and snow forecast.

The @daera-ni.gov.uk Small Woodland Grant Scheme is now open for this coming winter planting season. If you are a land owner & would like advice or assistance applying to the grant please get in contact with our Woodland Officer, Laura. 📞 028 9060 3466 📧 [email protected]

Don't forget the closing date for our River Conservation Officer & Administrative Officer roles is this coming Monday 17th November at 9am. For more information and to apply visit our website: belfasthills.org/jobs/

Last week, our Conservation Team took a day trip to Cuilcagh Mountain to meet the @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social Peatland Restoration Team. By visiting another upland management area we got to share best practise & learn how others approach similar issues we're faced with. Thanks for a great day!

Wildlife crime can often go undetected as it occurs in remote areas. Please familiarise yourself with what constitutes a wildlife crime & if you suspect anything visit www.wildlifecrimeni.org for more info on what to do & how to report it.