skip to main content
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
Text size:

Ballygally & District Biodiversity Group

Documents 188 days overdue

Overdue: 188 days

Charity no. 108452 Date registered. 21/03/2022

Public benefits

The direct benefits are that the local people and visitors will benefit from visiting the outdoors in the local area to see the Red Squirrels. This will have a health dividend in encouraging people to exercise and visit places where they can relax and enjoy nature. The incidental benefit will be for our native Red Squirrel. The benefits can be

identified by the increasing numbers of people visiting Carnfunnock Country Park and contacting the Mid & East Antrim Council and the BBG to report sightings and apply to go on guided walks. This is proof that people are exercising more and enjoying the outdoors. There is no harm arising from any of the purposes and this is clearly demonstrated in the Public Benefit statement. The Charity’s beneficiaries are the local people and visitors to Carnfunnock Country Park. Incidental beneficiaries are the Red Squirrel and other wildlife There is incidental benefit flowing from the purposes. The local people, volunteers and visitors will learn more about the natural environment and different skills needed to help wildlife thus improving their academic skills and ability to interact with other people. The Red Squirrels and other wildlife will benefit from an improved habitat and the control of invasive non-native species that spread disease and destroy native trees and song birds. All of which is necessary.

What your organisation does

a) The Trustees of the BBG meet the Public Benefit requirement by maintaining the Red squirrel population in Carnfunnock Country Park and surrounding area so that the local people and visitors will be encouraged to take exercise and benefit from spending time close to nature in an enjoyable and relaxing local area. There is no harm from this

purpose. b) By monitoring and managing the wildlife in Carnfunnock Country Park and surrounding area the Trustees of the BBG will ensure the continued presence of native wildlife and ensure that the local people and visitors will continue to spend time and exercise and relax in local woodland. There is no harm from this purpose and the local wildlife will be incidental beneficiaries. c) By recruitment and training of local volunteers the benefit will be the increasing of knowledge of wildlife by the local people and will they will be encouraged to visit forests and woods and will be able to assist other people and enabling them to take part in community-based activities to support wildlife. There is no harm in this purpose. d)To protect the endangered Red Squirrel the Trustees will work with all residents, land owners and agencies to remove the alien and invasive Grey Squirrel. The training and expertise delivered to residents will improve their confidence in their ability to protect local wildlife and encourage them to work in wooded areas and Parkland. The control and removal of the Grey Squirrel will help protect the Health and Safety of local people as the Grey squirrel is capable of spreading Weil’s disease and can cause damage to property.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of environmental protection or improvement

Who the charity helps

  • General public
  • Volunteers

How the charity works

  • Environment/sustainable development/conservation

Charitable purposes

a) To maintain the Red Squirrels in Chaines Wood, Carnfunnock Country Park and the surrounding environment of Ballygally. Following the successful reintroduction, to protect and expand the unique population of red squirrels and wildlife. b) To monitor and manage the wildlife of Chaines Wood, Carnfunnock Country Park and the surrounding environment of Ballygally. c) To recruit more volunteers to support the work of the BBG. d) To work with local residents and land owners, environmental agencies and council representatives to remove grey squirrels from the identified areas and improve the general biodiversity of the woods by planting native trees, bulbs and plants.

Governing document

Constitution

Other name

Ballygally Biodiversity Group The BBG
  • 5 Trustees
  • 0 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Contact details

Public address

  • Nicholas Davis, 31 Ilse Court, Larne, BT40 3NT

Trustee board

Trustee
Neil Mcmullan
Nicholas Davis
Joe Dowdall
Derna Mccurdy
Jennifer Mcmanus

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland
  • Mid And East Antrim Borough Council