In April 2023, two years on from the devastating fire in the Mournes, key organisations reached a new milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.
Representatives from the National Trust, Mourne Heritage Trust, Woodland Trust, Northern Ireland Water, DAERA, Newry Mourne & Down District Council , and Forest Service signed a document to commit to working together in the Mournes, enhancing cooperation, building resilience, and protecting the landscape.
Flames destroyed nearly 300 hectares of land in the Mournes on 23 April 2021, with Slieve Donard being one of the hardest hit. The area, a Special Area of Conservation, supports montane and dry heath, blanket bog, and specialized species.
The fire devastated the surrounding environment, a crucial wildlife habitat. Since 2021, the National Trust has spearheaded recovery, with DAERA funding and Forever Mournes’ support to restore the landscape.
