Councils host Biodiversity workshops with local schools

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in partnership with Mid Ulster District Council, recently held pollinator and ‘No Dig’ workshops with local schools over two days at Tullyvar Recycling Centre.

Officers from both Councils were joined by pupils from Cooley (Sixmilecross), McClintock (Seskinore), Roscavey (Omagh) and St Brigid’s Altamuskin Primary Schools in the Fermanagh and Omagh District and Augher Central, Churchill (Caledon), St McCartan’s (Clogher) and St Mary’s (Aughnacloy) Primary Schools in the Mid Ulster District.

The shared education events aimed to raise awareness of pollinators and their importance to our ecosystems and understand the benefits of No Dig beds all well as having fun learning.

The pupils participated in a series of activities including building bee homes, creating No Dig beds, insect surveys, seed balls, wetlands/pond dipping and paper potters fort sunflowers and peas.

The workshops provided an opportunity for the children to get outdoors and connect with nature.  The valuable practical experience aimed to help to influence an interest and understanding of the environment in our young people and encourage them to protect it.

Speaking about the workshops, Callum and Archie, P7 pupils from Cooley Primary School said:

“We really enjoyed visiting Tullyvar recycling centre. We enjoyed all the activities, but our favourites were making the ‘no-dig’ flower bed and throwing the seed bombs. The flower bed was handy to make and I think we should make some in school because the weeds won’t be able to grow due to the cardboard.”

Aoife, Catherine and Molly, P7 pupils from St Brigid’s Primary School, Altamuskin said:

“We enjoyed going to Tullyvar, it was a great experience.  All the activities were interesting and my pea shooters have grown exceptionally well.  When we tried pond dipping we seen so many new aquatic insects.  We loved the wildflower bombs where we had to get seeds and mix them with wildflower seeds and then we got to throw them down the hill.  Thank you for inviting our school.”

Through its Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to protecting, enhancing and restoring biodiversity on Council estate and increasing awareness and action for local biodiversity.  These workshops help to achieve this commitment and ensure our natural and built environment is cherished and sustainably managed.

For more information on Biodiversity, contact the Council’s Climate Action Team on climate@fermanaghomagh.com or 0300 303 1777.