The National Trust is the largest conservation charity in Europe, looking after nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever. We were founded in 1895 by three people who saw the importance of heritage and open space and wanted to protect them for everyone to enjoy.
In Northern Ireland, we look after 46 sq. miles of countryside, manage 108 miles of coast (22% of the coastline) and are supported by over 100,000 members. Some of Northern Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions are in our care, including Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway, as well as the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Mount Stewart, and Slieve Donard among many other places.
Northern Ireland’s tourism assets rely on our special landscapes, historic environment and cultural heritage – we must look after those assets, and tourism must be properly managed to avoid harming the environment and alienating communities. A joined-up approach is needed across all NI government departments to bring forward a Regenerative Tourism Strategy, to ensure NI’s tourism recovery focuses on value rather than volume, and balances economic, social and environmental needs.
Climate change is the single biggest threat to the special places we look after – from the amazing landscapes to the historic houses. We want to help lay the groundwork for a brighter future, which addresses the joint threats of climate change and nature’s decline and tackles inequalities of access to green space, heritage and culture.
For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk