DAERA Minister Andrew Muir attended a public open day at Lenamore Wood, a new 16-hectare site near Gortin in County Tyrone. Nearly 30,000 native trees have been planted there by Ulster Wildlife.

The site sits next to a remnant of ancient woodland, known as Celtic rainforest or Atlantic oakwood. This habitat covers less than one per cent of the land and supports species including red squirrels, Irish stoats, wood warblers, mosses, fungi, and ferns.

Visitors at the open day received guided tours and planted trees to mark the occasion. The woodland will eventually open fully to the public.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs provided more than £100,000 through the Forest Expansion Scheme. Minister Muir stated that increasing woodland cover boosts biodiversity and offers health benefits to people.

He noted his department's support for the project and urged landowners to pursue new woodland creation via the Forest Expansion Scheme or Small Woodland Grant Scheme.