Fungi and algae appeared in the news of late as water quality continues to cause concern. Belfast Live reported a more than 100% jump in blue-green algae reports across Northern Ireland in barely a month, with a related scare hitting the Lisburn canal too. The warm, dry conditions were the likely trigger for these blooms, which can be toxic to pets and wildlife.
On the fungal front, The Independent reports that Ireland’s whiskey boom is feeding a coal-black fungus called Baudoinia, which thrives on the ethanol vapour – the famous “angel’s share” – escaping from maturing barrels. The fungus now blackening walls and roofs near distilleries, another indication of how we affect our environment.
The long hot summer left its mark on the land. The National Trust reported a hay shortage at one of its Northern Ireland estates because of drought conditions. On the policy side, there was a less cheerful story about Belfast officials reportedly weighing whether to scrap an environmental project tied to a sports pitch, worried the EU might claw back funding if the green scheme is unwound early.
Northern Ireland’s green economy seemed to flourish: a Belfast entrepreneur ploughed £250,000 into a sustainable e-bike business, and the new NI Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme officially opened, drawing a warm welcome from farmers looking to work their land more sustainably. The Northern Ireland Environment Link’s August newsletter was buzzing too, with this year’s NI Environment Week theme set as “Species Recovery” — a fitting nod to the nature-rich heritage the whole newsletter was celebrating. An eco-minded Northern Irish schoolboy’s letter to Charles III earned him a spot in a new Buckingham Palace display for his promotion of eco-friendly and environmental features in his school.
Heartening news arrived at the end of August as conservationists in County Fermanagh celebrated a rare “bounty” of barn owl chicks in what was their best breeding season in years, with ten chicks recorded across two sites thanks to nest boxes and habitat improvements from Ulster Wildlife working alongside local farmers.
The season of creation
The Season of Creation is an annual Christian observance that takes place from September 1st to October 4th. It is a time when Christians around the world come together to pray, reflect, and take action on caring for the environment and addressing ecological concerns. The observance begins on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1st) and concludes on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4), the patron saint of ecology in the Catholic tradition. The Season encourages prayer, education, and advocacy for environmental stewardship. Read more about the Season of Creation » More reminds us to pray and work for the good of our planet and to be on the lookout for the stories and events that can inspire us to do our part.