Bird watching at Glynn Railway Halt
January 2010
L
arne Borough Council’s Biodiversity Officer, in partnership with Translink's Biodiversity Project, organised a bird watching event at Glynn Halt on the Larne Line on Sunday 17th January 2010.
A bird expert was on hand to help with identification and pointed-out birds of interest including light-bellied brent goose and goldeneye. The event drew an impressive crowd which included ‘twitchers’, those new to bird watching and young converts.
Translink’s Biodiversity Project has highlighted the benefits of travelling by train where bird spotting can be part of the journey through a series of train and station posters – ‘Spot these on your train journey’.
Translink ‘making waves’ in efforts to clean Northern Ireland’s coastline
October 2009 
Translink scooped the ‘Best Business Involvement’ award at the inaugural Coca-Cola Clean Coast Awards 2009, presented by Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA. The awards are part of TIDY Northern Ireland’s Clean Coast Programme and are designed to recognise the outstanding contribution of individuals and organisations to protect local beaches.
To read more click here. Adopt-a-Beach and Corporate Volunteering
September 2009
As part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch Big Weekend, a beach clean event was organised via Translink’s Biodiversity Project, a partnership with the Ulster Wildlife Trust, on 18th September 2009 at Portballintrae, Co. Antrim. The event was one of many being held across Northern Ireland to highlight and tackle the issue of marine litter on our beaches.
The event was held in partnership with Larne & Moyle District Councils’ Biodiversity Officer who advertised the event locally. In addition to Translink staff who volunteered their own time to take part, some local residents and a local school came out to participate on the day. Sixteen adults and 16 school-children participated on the day. A total of 18 bags of litter were collected which happily now no longer persist on this beach to potentially hurt people who use this beach or our marine wildlife.
Translink scoops 'Biodiversity Project of the Year 2009' at the Sustainable Ireland Awards
September 2009
The Ulster Wildlife Trust and Translink have won a top award at the prestigious annual Sustainable Ireland Awards held in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
The ‘Biodiversity Project of the Year’ award was handed over at a glittering ceremony held recently in Belfast before a packed audience of leading players in the environmental, waste management and energy sectors. To read more click here.
'Spot these' - New Biodiversity Station Posters
September 2009
A new range of biodiversity station posters have been developed as part of the Translink Biodiversity Project. The posters which focus on local wildlife are designed to provide Translink passengers with something to 'spot' when looking out from a bus or train window - a relative wildlife safari!
As well as educating and raising awareness it is hoped that the posters will inspire people to appreciate and enjoy Northern Ireland’s biodiversity. The posters will be on display at bus and rail stations over the next few months so keep your eyes peeled.
Translink Launches its First Biodiversity Action Plan
September 2009 
Translink launched its first ‘Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 – 2014: Taking Action for Local Wildlife‘, on 8 September 2009.
Developed in partnership with the Ulster Wildlife Trust as part of Translink’s wider Biodiversity Project, the five year action plan provides guidance on the conservation of biodiversity found in and around Translink property and infrastructure.
It aims to encourage and better equip Translink employees, contractors, passengers and stakeholders to manage, respect and protect Northern Ireland’s rich natural heritage.
To read more click here.
Discover Biodiversity by Bus and Train leaflet
April 2009
A new ‘Discover Biodiversity by Bus and Train’ leaflet has been developed by Translink and the Ulster Wildlife Trust. The leaflet highlights eight of the province’s most-loved wild places from nature reserves to coastal walks, each of which can be easily discovered by bus, train, bike or foot.
As well as promoting sustainable transport, it is hoped that as more people get out and 'discover biodiversity', the more willing they we will be to protect it.
The leaflet is available from Easter at bus and rail stations across Northern Ireland or alternatively you can download it here.
Translink Adopt-a-Beach Weekend
April 2009
Two 'Adopt-a-Beach' events were held at Whitehead and Carrickfergus on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th April involving local residents and school children.
The events highlighted the extent of marine litter and the problems it creates such as injury to wildlife and pollution of our local environment.
The beach cleans also involved surveying the type and quantity of litter found. This data will be sent to the Marine Conservation Society for inclusion in an annual 'Beachwatch' report to help tackle this threat to our marine environment.
Translink partnership with local school puts biodiversity garden ‘on track’
February 2009
Translink has joined forces with a South Belfast primary school to assist in the creation of a special ‘Biodiversity Garden’ on school grounds.
Click here to read more
Hedging our Bets
January 2009
As part of Route 93 on the National Cycle Network, the Newtownabbey Way provides an important transport corridor for walkers and cyclists, but another user-group, wildlife, are keen on it as well!
Thanks to an initiative between Translink, Newtownabbey Borough Council and Sustrans, the Youth Club members from Whiteabbey Community Centre, with their leader Margaret King, had an opportunity to get involved in enhancing the Way for wildlife.
Translink joins forces with Wildlife Trust to help local biodiversity
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Translink employees recently showed their ‘green fingers’ when they took part in a corporate volunteer day to support biodiversity in the Coleraine area.
Click here to read more
Station Poster Campaign
The Translink Biodiversity Project is using, amongst other means, station posters as an innovative and effective way of raising awareness of biodiversity and getting the message out to staff and the members of the public. We plan to produce two each year so watch the poster space at your local bus or train station!
Swift Action
March 2008
A local resident contacted Translink's Biodiversity Officer to explore the idea of Translink participating in a swift nest box scheme for his area.
Swifts migrate from central and southern Africa each spring to these shores to breed, gravitating to the eaves and roofspaces of older buildings or modern buildings that can accommodate them. A bus depot in his area, it seems, offers prime summer residences for these overseas visitors – the location being the outside wall of the depot where nest boxes could be erected.
