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Barrhead AB News

Oct 22, 2015

If you pick these protected wild flowers in Northern Ireland you will face ...

Tale of Two Cities transforming prominent spaces to connect Liverpool and Manchester, while a derelict sewage works in Barrhead near Glasgow has been redeveloped and filled with wild flowers. Grow Wild is in its third year of wild flower campaigning, aiming to bring people together to transform a communal space by sowing and growing native plants. Already numerous community initiatives have made a difference across Northern Ireland – with the winning flagship project set to add another level to the benefits brought by Grow Wild. Stéphanie Baine, NI Manager for Grow Wild, said: “All of the shortlisted projects are amazing. We’re very excited about what will happen when these great schemes battle it out for the public vote. These are brilliant and unique projects – and the challenge will be choosing just one.” Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI director, said: “We are delighted with how people across Northern Ireland have made the changes they want in their communities with support from Grow Wild over the past couple of years. “We wish all the shortlisted projects the best of luck and are looking forward to seeing the difference the winning project makes to their community.” The importance of the project has been highlighted by a new awareness campaign aimed at preventing wildlife crime. Anyone found picking any of the 70 protected widlflower species can be prosecuted. Mark H Durkan PAW NI - Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Northern Ireland - say many native NI species such as deer, salmon and birds of prey are subject to poaching and cruelty. But uprooting even common wildflowers like daisies without the landowner’s permission is an offence. Environment minister Mark H Durkan told the launch of the initiative yesterday: “We aim to educate people that sometimes their actions inadvertently cause significant harm to wildlife. “Of course, there are also other elements which involve much more extreme forms of criminality - those who target wildlife inflicting great cruelty for their personal pleasure or those who illegally exploit or target our wildlife for financial gain. “Our starting point is to drive increased awareness of what wildlife crime is and why and encouraging them to report it or seek advice, so that we keep this as a priority and work towards dramatically reducing all forms of wildlife crime.” PSNI Superintendent Brian Kee, said: “Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour, or suspects a wildlife crime is taking place or has occurred, contact the police service on 101, or in an emergency ring 999, or call Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. “The report will be fully investigated and where evidence of a criminal offence is found the offender will be reported to the Public Prosecution Service with a view to a prosecution.” ... (Belfast Live)