Charity reveals plan to ‘preserve, celebrate and enhance’ unique areas in Causeway

The shape of work to be carried out across a number of local areas by natural, built and cultural heritage charity Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) was outlined during a launch at Hillmount House in Larne yesterday (Tuesday).
Under the themes of ‘We Preserve’, ‘We Celebrate’ and ‘We Enhance’, the new Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust Prospectus reflects on the past, present and future focus of the Trust’s activities.
The publication details the achievements and investments brought to communities by CCGHT through accomplishments such as the successful delivery of projects funded by the EU, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Showing communities and partners what they can expect from the organisation in the coming months, as well as how it will go about its work, the document explains how CCGHT plans to preserve, celebrate and enhance our very special areas.
Ongoing projects are featured in the CCGHT Prospectus, such as oversight of the Antrim Coast & Glens, Binevenagh and Causeway Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as the Binevenagh Landscape Partnership Scheme and the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site.
Also included are future plans stretching across the geographic area covered by the Trust. For example, development of a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve for Binevenagh is included in the strategy along with plans for new defence heritage attractions at Limavady Trainer Dome and Magilligan Anti-Aircraft Battery. A commitment to the future of the Dark Hedges site is also included plus work to establish a UNESCO Global Geopark across a wide coastal and inland area.

CCGHT is well known for its current work with the unique prison site-based Magilligan Tree Nursery, the Rathlin Environment Forum and the Économusée Network. As key areas of work for the Trust, CCGHT has given an update on each in the new Prospectus.

Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust Chief Executive Graham Thompson explained why the Prospectus is being published.

He said: “Today’s launch celebrates our work to date, marks out thanks to project partners and individuals who sit in vital management groups and sets out a clear plan for the future.

“The Prospectus shows how we’ll now use three strategic pillars as we develop the Trust’s work: delivering a programme of high-quality protected landscape management, inspiring local communities, and conserving and enhancing our natural, built and cultural heritage.
“It also sets its sights on what the organisation will look like, including a more enterprise-focussed way forward through work such as the Magilligan Tree Nursery and an aim to deliver more on the ground services for our partners in Councils and other public sector bodies.
“The Trust has a renowned history of delivering with, and for, local communities. We’re excited to set our sights on future plans to preserve, celebrate and enhance our very special areas.”

Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust has operated throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid and East Antrim Council areas since 2002. The charity specialises in bringing together internal subject and project expertise, with external specialists where needed, for the benefit of all.