Fly-camping risk to nature

Following a dramatic increase in the amount of discarded equipment and litter being left behind at countryside and coastal locations, the National Trust is urging people not to fly-camp on its land and to help protect nature and wildlife.
By Helen McGurk
Published 6th Aug 2020, 12:10 BST
Fly-campers are leaving behind litter and debrisFly-campers are leaving behind litter and debris
Fly-campers are leaving behind litter and debris

With more people than ever enjoying a ‘staycation’ this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, National Trust ranger teams are finding 20 per cent of their time is now having to be spent on clearing up after visitors rather than on vital conservation work to help nature.

Since the easing of lockdown restrictions Northern Ireland’s popular beauty spots including the Mourne Mountains, Murlough Nature Reserve and parts of the Causeway Coast have seen significant increases in the numbers of people camping, and a spike in the number of camper vans parking at beauty spots overnight, without permission.

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Mourne ranger Clare O’Reilly said: “We have seen a notable increase in this behaviour at our sites in the Mournes - both at Bloody Bridge and Slieve Donard, and in various parts of Murlough Nature Reserve, including the main boardwalk.

“The rubbish left behind is usually substantial. We routinely clear up to four full bin liners from each camp, and deal with the aftermath of damaged habitats from fires, broken glass and disposable BBQs. Some of this litter can be buried into the 6,000-year-old sand dunes, which then slowly release shards of glass and sharpened metal, creating a serious hazard risk for children, adults, dogs, and our wildlife.”

The Trust said the situation requires constant vigilance by rangers whose daily patrols have turned into litter picks. In some instances, staff have been verbally abused during polite requests to have campers move on, and many campers have also illegally parked their vehicles in the car parks overnight.

Ben McCarthy, head of Nature Conservation and Restoration at the National Trust said: “We have seen a huge increase in the number of people fly-camping at our places over the past few weeks, and they are leaving not only vast quantities of litter behind, but in some instances tents and much of their equipment.

“We are seeing a disposable festival mentality which we’ve not experienced at our places before.

“Some campers are also lighting campfires which can cause big problems.”

Related topics:National TrustNorthern IrelandSlieve Donard

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