MEDIA RELEASE
22 September 2017
Fall for autumn
Woodland Trust appeals for volunteers to record natural seasonal signs
September 22, the autumn equinox, brings the first day of the new season. That’s according to the astronomical calendar. For meteorologists, each season is a three-month period, with autumn stretching over September, October and November.
Whichever calendar you follow, there’s no doubt that the days are getting shorter and cooler, and the coats a little heavier.
The Woodland Trust says that autumn is unfolding bang on time, in terms of natural events, with its vibrant visual treat still to come.
The charity wants members of thepublic to get outdoors and enjoy this spectacular season, and is encouraging nature lovers to share their seasonal sightings.
By recording natural seasonal signs, thousands of people have enabled the Trust’s Nature’s Calendar to become the leading UK survey into how plants and wildlife respond to weather and climate.
According to the charity, records from Northern Ireland are relatively scarce, in comparison with other parts of the UK.
Patrick Cregg is the director of the Woodland Trust and says: “We’re asking people across Northern Ireland to play a part. Your records, no matter how few, will make a valuable contribution to research, helping to show how nature is affected by weather and a changing climate.
“Signs of autumn include fruit ripening – keep an eye on the likes of hawthorn, blackthorn and holly. Look for ivy flowering, and first leaf tint through to full tint and leaf drop. You really don’t have to be an expert; you can even record the date of your last lawn cut.
“It’s a great incentive to get close to nature. Getinto your garden, take a closer look at your street trees, or enjoy a breath of fresh air in your nearest park or woodland.”
The new Nature’s Calendar website is now live. People can now add pictures with their records and log specific locations. To find out more and get your recording underway, visit
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Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; e-mail
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife.
The Trust has three key aims:
i)to protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
ii)to restore damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
iii)to plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering over 22,500 hectares. Access to its woods is free. Further news can be found at
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 50 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland. The Trust has produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at