Newry, Crossgar and Heart of Down Squirrel Groups Clean Up At Live Here Love Here Annual Awards
• The event: Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Newry & Portadown Branch received coveted Newry Mourne and Down Regional Champions Award
Live Here Love Here, the people-powered campaign dedicated to improving local environments and inspiring civic pride, has announced the Newry Mourne and Down winners at its 2026 Community Awards.
Held on February 19 at Belfast City Hall and hosted by TV presenter Joe Mahon, the event brought together community volunteers, council representatives, environmental organisations and partners to celebrate the vital role local people play in caring for Northern Ireland’s natural and built environment.
The Live Here Love Here Community Awards – delivered in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), ten local councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and managed by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful – recognise outstanding voluntary action tackling some of our most pressing environmental challenges, including littering, biodiversity loss, neglected spaces and climate change.
On the night, 13 awards were presented, including Regional Champion Awards for each participating council area, as well as three special awards recognising long-term impact, community inclusion and emerging environmental leadership: the Bright Future Award, the Community Together Award and the Lasting Contribution Award.
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Newry & Portadown Branch (IWAI N&P) was announced as the Newry Mourne and Down District Council Regional Champion in recognition of its long-term commitment to restoring, protecting and celebrating the Newry Canal as a vital nature corridor and recreational resource.
Through invasive-species control, lock-gate restoration and habitat creation, the group has transformed the canal into an environmental asset that strengthens biodiversity, civic pride and local wellbeing.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Philip Campbell, said: “Congratulations to the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Newry & Portadown Branch andall the winners from our district who achieved such success at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards.
“The work carried out by these groups and volunteers show how local action can make a real and lasting difference to our environment.
“Thank you to all of you for your efforts to care for our environment. As well as strengthening our biodiversity, you are inspiring pride, connection and positive change across Newry, Mourne and Down.”
Newry Mourne and Down runner-up Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group was praised for its outstanding conservation work, using detailed surveys, habitat support and community engagement to significantly boost red squirrel numbers across County Down, becoming a vital force for local wildlife protection and community pride.
The district also celebrated success in the special award categories, with Crossgar Village Greens winning the prestigious Bright Future Award.
Meeting fortnightly, the group carries out litter picks, maintains planters and floral displays, and delivers a range of biodiversity projects supported by Live Here Love Here.
Their “A River Runs Through It” project has transformed key public spaces, creating vibrant wildflower areas, improved river habitats and welcoming green spaces that inspire community pride and environmental stewardship.
Speaking about the role of the awards in highlighting the impact of everyday community action, Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here Manager, said: “At a time when the biodiversity and climate crises can feel overwhelming, the Live Here Love Here Community Awards shine a light on what is possible when people come together to take action locally.
“Groups like the Inland Waterways Association, the Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group and Crossgar Village Greens show that community-led environmental action really does make a difference – from protecting wildlife and restoring habitats to reducing waste and enhancing shared green spaces.
“When communities get involved, positive change really does grow from the ground up.
“Live Here Love Here is about supporting people to take pride in where they live and to care for their local environment.
“We are incredibly grateful to DAERA, our council partners, the Housing Executive and our sponsors, Power NI and Helping Hand, for making these awards possible and helping us continue to grow environmental volunteering across Northern Ireland.”
To support the work of Live Here Love Here and other environmental programmes, visit:
keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org,
where you can find out how to get involved or make a donation.
