EDUCATION CONSERVATION INSPIRATION
NGO CHALLENGE FUND 2014 SCHOOL EDITION BY NORTHERN IRELAND ENVIRONMENT LINK 2 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOLNGO CHALLENGE EDITION FUND REPORT 2014 CONTENTSINTRODUCTION 3 3
Contents
Ministerial Foreward...... 04
Introduction...... 06 The NGO Challenge Fund Model...... 08
Time to Celebrate...... 10
The School Experience...... 12
Project Index...... 20
Conclusion & Acknowledgements...... 34
List of Projects...... 35
Patricia Mackey Front Cover: Gaelscoil an Chaistil 4 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SECTION 1
Ministerial Foreword Introduction
For the last three years, the Department of the Environment has supported the Challenge Fund in delivering local environmental projects, building an environment that is essential for our wellbeing and prosperity. The Challenge fund is a people’s fund that enables everyone to become involved and enhance our environment. Groups can take ownership of their environment, with the Fund supplying the necessary support and guidance to take a project from an initial idea to an achievement. This unique delivery system provides a powerful complementary addition to my Department’s work. This year we have been able to provide £2.3 million through the Carrier Bag Levy to extend the reach of the Challenge Fund. Communities, schools, charities and environmental groups have delivered over 250 projects supported by the Fund, maintaining a remarkable track record of success. An even spread of projects has been achieved across the country, mirroring both the urban and rural contributions made to the Carrier Bag Levy, ensuring that no community has gone untouched by the fund. A huge range of projects were made possible, transforming spaces, enhancing our natural and built environments, contributing to new research, and building important relationships. For the first time we included a dedicated funding stream in support of environmental education. Grass-roots projects such as these develop an important environmental culture within Northern Ireland’s younger generations. Many of the organisations completed their work to tight timescales and to limited budgets, leveraging additional funds and relying on the dedication of volunteers to deliver benefits. Their devoted time and effort is an inspiring example to us all. I believe that we each have a role in shaping the environment that we want for our future. I congratulate the success of everyone involved in the Challenge.
Mark H Durkan, MLA Minister of the Environment May 2014
www.liorpress.com 6 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION INTRODUCTION 7
Building on the success of the first two years, the NGO Challenge Fund for 2014 was given a significantly increased allocation of funds arising from the Single Use Carrier The 64 environmental Bag Levy. The programme was launched in October 2013 with £1 million to be distributed to environmental projects education applications across Northern Ireland. Over 360 applications for £4.7 million were received within just one month; in response received were all of the Minister released additional funds, bringing Challenge Fund 2014 to £2.3 million. excellent quality. Due to the growing interest from schools over the past couple of years, a dedicated schools stream was developed for NGO Challenge Fund 2014. Schools, colleges and other educational establishments could apply for grants up to £5,000 to deliver environmental education projects. This book records the success of the 64 schools across Northern Ireland who received NGO Challenge Fund support and who worked tirelessly to deliver their environmental education projects in the ambitious timeframe.
Patricia Mackey
Introduction
In December 2011, the Minister of the Environment allocated £250,000 to deliver a ‘challenge fund’ to enable environmental organisations in Northern Ireland to carry out projects in their communities. The pilot programme was so successful that it was run again in 2013, with an allocation of £360,000. The ‘challenge’ was extended to community and voluntary group including schools, to meet both the community demand for funding and to explore whether that demand and ultimately project delivery would be an
effective way to deliver on government environmental goals. Northern Ireland Environment Agency 8 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION THE NGO CHALLENGE FUND MODEL 9
By helping communities to identify and deliver locally important projects, this type of funding is empowering them to take control of their environment, to develop a sense of ownership and pride and to become actively engaged in environmental matters from the local to the global scale. Project proposals to the NGO Challenge Fund programme are required to meet one or more of the NIEA strategic objectives: —— the sustainable use and protection of our natural resources; —— improved conservation and management of our natural heritage; —— improved conservation and protection of our built heritage; and —— better public awareness and understanding of the environment. 251 projects were delivered across Northern Ireland in 2014 and the programme has delivered important outcomes which can be categorised into five key areas; environmental management, the historic environment, education and awareness, access and recreation and community action. The 64 environmental education applications received from schools across Northern Ireland were all of excellent quality and all of them subsequently received funding to deliver highly innovative, interesting and beneficial projects. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency ability of the schools to devise and deliver their projects in an extremely tight timeframe has been very impressive.
The NGO Challenge Fund Model
The ability of the schools The NGO Challenge Fund is a new concept in delivery of funding to devise and deliver their for environmental projects. It pilots not just a new funding projects in the timeframe programme, but a significant shift in how government provides support to deliver on its own environmental aims by enabling has been impressive. communities, including the school community to deliver local environmental projects. An important aspect of the fund is the
increasing capacity of environmental and community groups to assist Patricia Mackey in the delivery of government goals. 10 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION TIME TO CELEBRATE 11
Time To Celebrate
One of the most important aspects of the NGO Challenge Fund is sharing expertise, experience and ideas to encourage and promote best practice environmental work. Accordingly, an event has been hosted at the end of each programme, bringing all projects together to showcase their achievements. The celebration event for the 2014 programme was held at the Beech Hill Country House in June and provided the platform for the Minister of the Environment to announce his intention to launch NGO Challenge Fund 2015 later this year. 12 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION THE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE 13
There was a significant increase in applications from In many cases, the pupils were involved from design to schools in 2014 – 64 applications were received from across delivery, providing their own creative ideas and practical Northern Ireland. Many of the schools availed of the NGO help to make light of the work. Like the pupils, the teachers Challenge Fund to progress their eco-schools programme were highly enthusiastic and dedicated, tirelessly juggling and the remaining schools were encouraged to register teaching duties with the delivery of the projects. Their hard with the eco-school initiative. work and commitment really paid off as the following summaries illustrate. Environmental education has many dimensions and the school projects encompass many aspects of these. At primary and secondary school level, the projects provided the children with stimulating experiences from sensory gardens and outdoor classrooms to building bird boxes, bug hotels and growing local produce. This made learning about the natural environment, the creatures that live in it and what it can provide us a fun and interactive learning experience. Learning about food production, from sowing the seeds to harvesting the produce, taught the pupils about healthy eating and living, equipping them with important life-long skills. The projects also engaged the pupils in fun outdoor exercise, increasing health and fitness. At university level, a range of research and awareness projects were delivered on topics ranging from renewable energy to the built environment.
E.7 EDUCATION E.39 E.35 The School Experience E.33 E.21 E.64 E.47 E.26 E.6 E.59 E.17 E.28 E.63 E.45
E.36 As children and young people become more disengaged from the E.46 E.49 E.22 E.8 E.24 E.44 E.41 E.23 natural and built heritage, environmental education will become E.58 E.30 E.37 E.43 E.16 E.51 E.32 E.14 E.5 increasingly important. Due to the growing interest from schools over E.13 E.25 E.18 E.15 E.53 E.32 E.42 the past couple of years, a dedicated schools stream was developed for E.9 E.10 E.31 E.27 E.60 E.52 E.57 E.61 E.50 NGO Challenge Fund 2014. Schools, colleges and other educational E.11
E.1 establishments could apply for grants up to £5,000 to deliver E.2 E.12
E.19 E.20 E.38 environmental education projects. E29 E.55
E.4 E.3
E.43 E.48
E.55
E.40
E.54 14 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION EDUCATION PROJECTS 15
Kitchen and Wildlife Garden Windmeters for Educational Use
An organic garden to grow food Anemometers have been developed Bunscoil Bheanna Boircha University of Ulster Tara Haughian and provide important wildlife Dr Joerg Arnscheidt using recycled materials to teach [email protected] / 028 4377 8809 habitat has been developed in the [email protected] / 028 7012 4095 high school and undergraduate school grounds level students Education E.48 Education E.47
he NGO Challenge Fund made possible the A welcome area in the form of the ‘Garden Gallery’ has ith continuous budget cuts, it has become more environment in a direct way. The project has positively development of an organic garden at the newly been developed using items upcycled by the children with difficult for schools and universities to provide contributed to improved learning outcomes in environment developedT Bunscoil Bheanna Boircha. The pupils were help from an artist to provide an imaginative and attractive modernW equipment for use in field-based activities. With and science-related subjects and generated a better heavily involved from the outset, developing plans for entrance to the school. the support of the NGO Challenge Fund, the University understanding of wind as a resource for renewable energy. an interesting and attractive outdoor space on their new of Ulster built their own anemometers with data It also helped to improve the standard of environmental It is not only the children that benefit from the organic school grounds, and the project has helped them become logging capacity for the use in field-based activities. This and science-based activities in the university and in garden. The project has raised awareness of environmental gardeners at home! equipment can be used across a range of courses including partner schools, thus contributing to a higher level of issues across the whole community and led to other geography, ecology, meteorology and renewable energy. The qualification and improved environmental awareness in the Fruit trees, root vegetables, herbs, edible leaves and an initiatives such as Eco-School registration and the future windmeters are shared with partner schools thus helping to next generation. edible fruit hedge were planted, a composting bin and bird celebration of key events like Earth Day. generate economic savings. feeders were installed. The children also constructed a bug It is hoped that the self-building element of the project will hotel from recycled materials to help conserve the local bird This project was aimed at undergraduate university level inspire other partners in education to think more creatively and mini beast population. This also provided practical and and high school level for outreach activities to improve about using their own resources to develop new educational visual educational material for the children to learn about STEM teaching. Teaching material has been developed tools in the future. the importance and benefits of the wildlife around them. to complement the units and to engage students with the 16 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION EDUCATION PROJECTS 17
Dipping for Biodiversity & Into the Canopy Belfast Royal Academy, Mournes Clean-up Project
Liberty Consortium in partnership with Belmont A tree house has been built and a Belfast Royal Academy, Duke of Edinburgh 150 school pupils and volunteers House & Foyle View Special Schools Award Centre Mark Roberts wildlife pond area renovated to provide John Reilly helped to collect two and a half [email protected] / 028 7136 8173 a unique environmental education [email protected] / 028 9075 0611 tonnes of rubbish from across the resource on this shared campus Mourne Mountains Education E.28 / E.36 Education E.62
iberty Consortium is the community organisation integrity of the site. The work means that pond life exploration he Duke of Edinburgh Award at Belfast Royal Cleaning up the Mournes is an important task to maintain responsible for the successful playtrail project, located can now be included within the playtrail’s Summer Scheme Academy has been in operation since the early 1960s. this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and requires Lwithin the grounds of Belmont House and Foyle View activities, something that was missed greatly by the children InT December 1990 it launched its first ‘Mournes Clean- ongoing support. The NGO Challenge Fund enabled Special Schools. The facility is widely used by local Nursery and young people in recent years. up’. Since then, this has become an annual event, involving the group to hire transportation to many of the sites for and Primary Schools, local community groups and the general more than 150 participants at 12-15 locations across the volunteers involved. The project provides an essential Foyle View Special School caters for approximately 110 public, with over 70,000 users annually. this area. educational tool for Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils. It is an children and young people with severe learning difficulties. important event demonstrating the impacts of littering and Belmont House currently hosts 190 students and is made up They have worked in partnership with the Consortium to Litter picking by pupils and adult volunteer leaders was fly-tipping in the Mournes and shows pupils how they can of Learning Centres catering for a wide range of special needs develop a tree house to provide access to the lower levels of the undertaken at multiple sites, including Fofanny Dam care and maintain for their local environment. including moderate learning difficulties, language disorders tree canopy. This provides users with the opportunity to see Forest, Kilkeel Beach, Trassey Track and Murlough Bay. In and emotional and behaviour difficulties. Working with the trees and associated wildlife from a different perspective. December, 2013, despite the adverse weather conditions, Liberty Consortium, the NGO Challenge Fund has funded the Information points have been installed around the tree house in excess of two and a half tonnes of rubbish was gathered. redesign of the wildlife pond area to improve safety and allow providing key information for the children to learn about the for pond dipping to take place. The improvements included trees, birds and other wildlife surrounding them. This tree building a new pond dipping platform to enable sustainable house is fully accessible and has provided a unique and exciting and long-term use for the years to come. Stabilisation works to learning experience for all users and is a welcome addition to prevent further erosion and to secure the pond boundary have the experience of the playtrail. been undertaken, whilst also maintaining the environmental 18 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION EDUCATION PROJECTS 19 SCHOOL EDITION Wonderful Willows Project Project Index
Willow beds and structures have St Mary’s PS, Lurgan Joan Aldridge been created as part of an education [email protected] / 028 3834 0295 programme and to enhance biodiversity on the school grounds Education E.20
t. Mary’s Primary School delivered a six week The project ties in with the schools commitment to biodiversity learning programme based around the maintain an Eco-School status by offering biodiversity Smedium of willow. Working with a local craftsman, pupils projects for the children. It also linked with a teaching designed and built a range of willow structures including programme surrounding the history of Lough Neagh as it two willow domes. incorporates ancient traditional work skills such as basket weaving used by the local fishermen. Learning about the Willow beds have also been planted in the school history of the area and the local biodiversity has helped, grounds, with the P6 and P7 pupils responsible for their and will continue to help, the children engage with their maintenance and management. The willow beds have cultural history and environment as well as developing a created a sustainable supply of willow for the school as sense of pride and respect for the world around them. well as an important natural habitat and food source for pollinating insects and birds.
Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche 20 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 21
An area of derelict ground has been transformed into an outdoor classroom, complete with a polytunnel to extend the growing season. This garden is available for use by pupils, their parents and the local community.
Bringing The Classroom Outside St Joseph’s PS, Greystone Rd, Antrim Miss Clare Gilmore [email protected] / 028 9446 2076
Education E.61
An outdoor classroom space including wildlife garden and pond has been created to enhance and sustain the outdoor learning Back To Basics environment in the school. Holy Child PS, Creggan, Derry / Londonderry A Walk In The Wild Woods Annabelle Cullen / [email protected] / 028 7126 1263 Gracehill PS, Ballymena Mr L Scott [email protected] / 028 2564 3482 Create Sensory Wildlife Garden Education E.17 Holywood PS Mrs Debbie Crookshanks [email protected] / 028 9042 4272 Education E.58 Raised beds have been developed on the school grounds for pupils, parents, staff and the community to grow their own local Education E.7 An area of woodland has been transformed by replanting hedges produce. Allotment classes have also been organised to sustain the and a wildflower meadow. Bat boxes, bird boxes and hedgehog project for the long term. The school garden has been enhanced for use as an outdoor houses have also been installed to encourage wildlife and classroom. A sensory and wildlife zone has also been created, increase biodiversity. turning an unused area into an exciting, educational and interesting space for pupils. Bug And Animal Hotel Roddensvale School, Larne Mary Howie [email protected] / 028 2827 2802
Education E.41
The school built various ‘hotels’ out of as many recycled materials as possible to accommodate bugs, animals and other creatures within the school grounds. This has increased pupils awareness, interest and understanding in their natural environment.
Developing NGO Skills For Improving Aquatic Environments University of Ulster Dr Katrina Macintosh Black Pad Community Environment Trail [email protected] / 028 7012 4426 Ash And Splash Around Loughash Mullavilly PS, Tandragee Pam Lowry Loughash PS, Strabane Mr Bernard Blee [email protected] / 028 3884 0911 [email protected] / 028 7139 8557 Education E.21 Education E.3 Education E.51 Community Garden The University conducted a pilot educational outreach St Mary’s PS, Bellanaleck Helen Ingram programme for River Trusts and Angling Groups in order to An existing path within the school grounds has been redeveloped [email protected] / 028 6634 8598 develop stakeholder skills, knowledge and understanding of the A hedge has been planted to encourage wildlife and bird-nesting. enabling the school and community to enjoy exercise in a natural aquatic environment. Information brochures were published and A pond has also been created to complement the school’s ‘World setting and raise environmental awareness. This has also increased workshops hosted as part of the project. Around Us’ curriculum project to increase biodiversity. outdoor learning opportunities for the pupils. Education E.43 22 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 23
A path to link the willow wigwam and pond has been laid, shrubs and hedging have been planted to encourage birds and other wildlife at the educational centre.
Environmental Area St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s PS, Garvagh Aidan Rafferty [email protected] / 028 2955 8039
Education E.49
The schools have worked in partnership to develop areas for natural wild flowers and grasses. Wildlife images and information packs have also been provided for both sites to enhance pupils’ learning. Engage Explore Experience And Duchas An Dulra Gaelscoil an Chaistil, Ballycastle Bridin Ni Dhonnghaile Enjoy Your Environment Environmental Trail And [email protected] / 028 2076 8883 Lough View Integrated PS Nursery Unit, Belfast Jenny Black Outdoor Classroom [email protected] / 028 9079 8161 Creavery PS, Thornhill Rd, Antrim Lesley Hunter [email protected] / 028 9446 6915 Education E.33 Education E.6 Gaelscoil an Chaistil developed an outdoor learning space Education E.13 together with an ancient Gaelic Tree alphabet, to link literacy and Lough View Primary School built a wildife watching hide environmental learning. This has not only helped the children to utilising recycled and natural materials to promote environmental An environmental science trail has been developed, identification learn better but has also created important habitat for local species. awareness and education with pupils. posts have been installed and a polytunnel erected to act as an outdoor classroom. Rustic seating and tables are in place to Environmental Garden And Sensory Area facilitate learning. Killyhommon PS, Boho, Enniskillen Eileen McKenzie [email protected] / 028 6634 1286
Education E.4
A polytunnel has been developed in the school garden to enhance the children’s understanding of food production. A sensory garden has also been planted together with willow seating, animal sculptures and insect boxes to enhance the school garden.
ECOlympics Enhancing Outdoor Fairview Primary PS, Ballyclare Neil McAllister Environment For Learning [email protected] / 028 9335 2094 Moyle PS, Ballygally Mrs Lindsay Barr Eskra Out Of School Wildlife Garden [email protected] / 079 6817 5407 Playtime, Day Nursery, Playgroup and Out of School Club, Omagh Mairead McCaffrey Education E.5 [email protected] / 028 8284 0868 Education E.24 Mature fruit trees have been planted in the school orchard and Environmental Improvements Education E.29 water butts have been installed for rainwater harvesting at the A redundant area of the school grounds has been transformed Newtownabbey Educational Guidance Centre school. The garden has become central to the outdoor curriculum into an interactive, fun and educational outdoor learning space Shonagh McCullagh The playgroup has transformed unused land on the community and will continue to enhance every pupil’s learning experience. complete with a ‘Story Teller’s Circle’, ‘Bug City’ and planting [email protected] / 028 9086 3199 areas. centre grounds into a wildlife garden to increase biodiversity and an informal play area for the children to enjoy a natural setting. Education E.15 24 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 25
Fresh Air Exercise Initiative St Columbs College, Derry / Londonderry James Green [email protected] / 028 7128 5000
Education E.46
The ‘Fresh Air Fitness’ project has helped increase activity in senior citizens as well as educate the local community in ‘growing your own’ and the physical, mental and financial benefits of this.
Fermanagh Citizen Scientists Red Squirrel Project Queen’s University, Belfast Dr David Tosh [email protected] / 028 9097 2464
Education E.32
Data has been collected on the location of both Red and Grey Squirrels in an effort to more effectively conserve the native Red Squirrel population. This project has engaged the public through our volunteer ‘citizen scientists’ who have helped survey the squirrels. Greenfingers Erganagh PS, Castlederg Heather Wallace Integrated Wetland Diversity Area [email protected] / 028 8167 1357 Balycastle Integrated PS and Nursery Unit Paula Donald [email protected] / 028 2076 2496
Education E.31 Education E.35 Gaelscoil Eoghain’s Big Bird Watch The ‘Greenfingers’ Project has enabled Erganagh Primary School Gaelscoil Eoghain, Cookstown Eimear McElduff A wetland and pond area has been developed on the school [email protected] / 028 8676 4121 to create a vegetable garden to educate the students on food production and the importance of healthy eating. grounds complete with a willow bird hide and planting for better biodiversity. This has formed an outdoor environmental education Education E.57 resource for our school and local community.
Bird boxes have been erected around the school grounds monitored by CCTV cameras to enable pupils to observe the Forest School Project birds as part of the ‘Big Bird Watch’ initiative. The Holywood Rudolf Steiner School Ciaran McIlhone [email protected] / 028 9042 8029
Education E.60
Four community members have received Forest School Leadership Level 3 training to enable them to lead Forest School sessions with the pupils at the Holywood Rudolf Steiner School. This has helped the children develop life skills through outdoor, woodland learning.
Kilkeel PS Community Garden Kilkeel Primary School Joanne Cherry Growing Minds [email protected] / 028 4176 2351 Gorran Growing Our Own! Knocknagoney Primary School Mrs Ann Burton Gorran Primary School, Coleraine Mrs A Paul [email protected] / 028 9076 8496 [email protected] / 028 7086 8571 Education E.54
Education E.64 Education E.63 A community garden has been planted at the school and the existing garden revamped. These gardens have and will continue Knocknagoney Primary School developed a wildlife garden to attract insect and bird life enhancing the area’s biodiversity. A vegetable garden has been planted to educate pupils on local and outdoor classroom, creating important habitat for frogs, food production and general plant care on the school grounds. dragonflies, birds and bees. 26 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 27
Mossley Primary School installed a polytunnel on the school children can use this fantastic resource to develop their gardening grounds to develop the environmental education resource at the skills and to learn about conservation and management of our school and to demonstrate to the pupils the importance of plants local natural heritage. and local produce.
Let’s Stomp Out Litter Our Nature Den Mill Strand Integrated PS, Portrush Mrs Deirdre Doherty Newbuildings PS Mrs Julie Armstrong [email protected] / 028 7082 3090 [email protected] / 028 7134 3896
Education E.39 Education E.8
This project raised awareness of beach litter. The pupils at Mill The central school courtyard has been transformed into an Strand Integrated Primary School carried out a number of litter interactive, fun and educational ‘Nature Den’. It has 4 zones picks, with some materials recycled to create musical instruments which are used for learning, play, planting and wildlife. for a ‘STOMP’ performance in school. Outdoor Educational Play Newbuildings Gardening Club Equipment Rathenraw St Columba’s PS, Newbuildings Shaun McLaughlin Integrated PS, Antrim Mrs Cherith Harkness [email protected] / 028 7134 7190 [email protected] / 028 9446 3979
Education E.44 Education E.27
With the assistance of the NGO Challenge Fund, St Columba’s Rathenraw Primary School enriched their outdoor learning Primary School set up a gardening club which has engaged environment by installing sensory play equipment for pupils. pupils, parents, staff and the local community in environmentally focussed activities.
Little Buds And Buddies Garden Project Our Secret Garden Space St Joseph’s PS, Glenmornan Sandra Early Cloughoge Nursery Unit, Cloughoge PS Miss Paula Rafferty [email protected] / 028 7139 8588 [email protected] / 028 3026 2688
Education E.30 Education E.40
A garden shed, tools and a greenhouse were purchased with the Cloughoge Nursery Unit created both a wildflower garden to assistance of the NGO Challenge Fund. This equipment will increase biodiversity and a growing garden for vegetables and enable pupils to engage in a range of environmental education sensory plants. initiatives to help increase their skills and knowledge in the natural environment and sustainability.
Our Living Classroom Ballyclare HS Eco Club Dr Adrian Witherow Outdoor Environmental Classroom [email protected] / 028 9332 2244 St Mary’s PS, Strabane Mrs Sandra O’Doherty Outdoor Classroom [email protected] / 028 7138 2422 Pond Park PS, Lisburn Mr Geoffrey Cherry Education E.53 [email protected] / 028 9267 6992 Mossley Polytunnel Education E.14 Mossley PS, Newtownabbey Laura Buchanan Ballyclare Eco Club has developed an outdoor ‘living’ classroom [email protected] / 028 9083 3019 which has enhanced pupils’ education on environmental issues Education E.12 An outdoor classroom, story-telling area and woodland walk has and healthy living. been created to enhance the environmental education offering at A new garden to encourage wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies St Mary’s Primary School, Strabane. Education E.42 and bugs back into the school grounds has been developed. The 28 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 29
Education E.59 Steps have been installed to allow safe access to an existing woodland area together with a seating area for outdoor teaching Kylemore Nursery School extended their outdoor seating area to and learning. Native plants have also been introduced to increase deliver more environmental education activities. The seating areas the biodiversity of the school grounds. are linked by a willow tunnel and trellis for additional planting. Additional material to ensure the safe access and use of the existing school barbecue area was also purchased with the help of the NGO Challenge Fund.
Outdoor Sensory Garden Sensory Garden Ballycarrickmaddy PS, Lisburn Colin Ford St Malachy’s PS, Belfast Brian White [email protected] / 028 9264 8360 [email protected] / 028 9032 7460
Education E.1 Education E.45
This project builds on the successful ‘Greenfingers’ environmental The school has developed an outdoor sensory garden which has initiative at the school. A sensory garden, together with seating allowed the pupils to enjoy stimulating and sensory outdoor area has been developed and will particularly benefit students with education. special educational needs. The NGO Challenge Fund has enabled Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School take another important step towards Eco-School status. Stepping Stones To Our Wildlife Garden Dromore PS Aurel Turner Replenishment Of Trees & [email protected] / 028 8289 8362 Greenhouse Refurbishment Belfast High School Mr D Scott [email protected] / 028 9086 4431 Education E.19
Dromore Primary School has created a wildlife haven by planting Education E.10 native wildflowers in the grounds. Biodiversity and wildlife workshops were delivered with pupils and the wider community This project successfully replenished trees and shrubs which were in an effort to raise awareness of biodiversity and wildlife. removed due to the A2 Road Widening Scheme. The school SERC Woodland Project greenhouse was also refurbished and new bird houses installed around South Eastern Regional College, Bangor Gwyneth Wilkinson the school grounds to enhance pupil’s environmental education. [email protected] / 078 8961 2416
Paper Plastic Cans Recycle - Take A Stand Education E.52 Antrim Grammar School Leonie Aranha [email protected] / 028 9446 4091 With the assistance of experts, Level 3 Animal Management students have learned about various woodland management Education E.9 techniques. The project has established a greater variety of local provenance trees species. Bird and bat boxes, and badger cameras Bins to recycle paper and plastic have been installed at Antrim are among some of the equipment purchased to transform this Grammar School. The amount of waste generated has decreased woodland into a learning environment. and the project has been an effective tool to raise awareness of waste issues and recycling with pupils.
Susan’s Trail - Our Biodiversity Trail St Colm’s High School, Draperstwon Mrs Clare Devlin [email protected] / 028 7962 8377 Rewilding Scheme Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt Mrs Catherine Spence [email protected] / 028 7963 2478 Education E.25 St Mary’s Woodland Access Project St Mary’s PS, Claudy Mrs Mary Redmond Building on the success of the NGO Challenge Fund last year, Education E.18 [email protected] / 028 7778 1384 species identification signs have been erected around Susan’s Trail Parent/ Child Friendly Spaces and a native hedge planted around the trail boundary. Additional Kylemore Nursery School, Coleraine Mrs Marian McCouaig Nesting boxes for swifts have been erected and shrubs, teaching resources to raise awareness and understanding of [email protected] / 028 7034 4893 wildflowers and hedging planted to help increase biodiversity in Education E.37 biodiversity have also been developed. the school grounds. 30 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 31
Wildlife Garden St. Patrick’s Primary School, Ballynahinch Mrs Colette O’Hare The Fabric Of Belfast’s Heritage - [email protected] / 028 9756 5323 An urban study Queen’s University, Belfast Dr Augusta Martire Trees, Twigs And Timber Education E.56 [email protected] / 028 9097 4098 The Learning And Growing Larne Grammar School Jimmy Christie [email protected] / 028 2827 2791 St Patrick’s Primary School created a Wildlife Garden Together Wildlife Area with habitats for birds and insects and installed raised planters to Education E.23 Parkhall PS, Antrim Stephen Baillie [email protected] / 028 9446 2983 grow herbs and seasonal produce. An interactive sensory area and Education E.16 water feature was also developed to enhance the outdoor learning This project produced an edited book of the urban heritage experience for students. of Belfast comprising essays written by 5th year architecture Education E.34 Trees have been planted on the school grounds, bird boxes have students. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated for a been constructed from sustainable timber and the students made suitable architectural student bursary or award. Parkhall Primary School has formed an outdoor learning Christmas wreaths to raise awareness of the importance of trees environment for its pupils, the local community and the Little for biodiversity. Hands Playgroup. This has helped those involved to engage and reconnect with the natural world.
TPS Education And Life Learning Eco Garden Templepatrick PS Clarke Cooper The Fabric Of Belfast’s Heritage - [email protected] / 028 9443 2486 Windsor Hill PS Secret Garden Online Resource Waste Reduction Project Windsor Hill PS, Newry Isobel McKane/Olivia Kerrigan Queen’s University, Belfast Dr Agustina Martire Langfield PS, Drumquin Pamela McCaskie [email protected] / 028 3026 4047 [email protected] / 028 9097 4098 Education E.50 [email protected] / 028 8283 1386
This project has successfully promoted the DoE’s 3R’s Education E.55 Education E.22 campaign. The focus is for the staff, children and parents to be Education E.11 environmentally aware and environmentally friendly in their Windsor Hill Primary School created a multi-sensory garden This project has produced a website to map existing, ongoing and actions. Planting has also been undertaken on the school grounds, Composting and recycling bins have been installed in the and nature walk. A path has been constructed using recycled future research carried out on the built heritage of Belfast, within students are responsible for managing different sections of the classrooms and dining hall to help decrease the waste produced in materials, native hedging planted and raised beds constructed the School of Architecture at Queen’s University Belfast. garden encouraging them to develop an interest in science and school. A clothes recycling bank has also been widely advertised for the students to plant a variety of plants and vegetables. The nature. in the community to raise awareness of waste issues and the project has been a real success in providing practical opportunities importance of recycling. to deliver The World Around Us curriculum. 32 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 SCHOOL EDITION PROJECT INDEX 33 SCHOOL EDITION
Conclusion & Acknowledgements
Wonderland Walkway Woodland Creation Academy PS & Nursery School, Saintfield Miss Kathryn Crosby Cooley PS, Sixmilecross Mrs Clements [email protected] / 028 9751 0407 [email protected] / 028 8075 8742
Education E.38 Education E.2
A nature walkway was developed on the school grounds Trees have been planted around the boundary of our school incorporating a vegetable and fruit garden, a woodland area and grounds, creating a new woodland for wildlife. It is hoped that an extended willow area with a composting centre. this project will also enrich the children’s understanding of nature and the wide variety of native trees that grow in the locality.
Wooded And Garden Area North Coast Integrated College, Coleraine Angela Passmore [email protected] / 028 7032 9026
Education E.26
The project has enabled the college to lay a path around the garden, animal enclosure, wildlife pond and wooded area. This allows access throughout the year for the school and external community groups to participate in a range of environmental educational activities.
Woodland Trust 34 NGO CHALLENGE FUND REPORT 2014 List of Projects 35
Education
E.58 E.49 E.39 E.52
A Walk in the Wild Woods: Environmental Area: St Let’s Stomp Out Litter: Mill SERC Woodland Project: South Gracehill Primary School Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Strand Integrated Eastern Regional College E.51 Primary School E.30 E.37 E.4 Ash and Splash Around Little Buds and Buddies St Mary’s Woodland Access Loughash: Loughash Primary Environmental Garden and Garden Project: St. Joseph’s Project: St Mary’s PS, Claudy School Sensory Area: Killyhommon Primary School Glenmornan E.19 E.17 Primary School, Boho E.42 E.15 Stepping Stones to Our Back to Basics: Holy Child Mossley Polytunnel: Mossley Wildlife Garden: Dromore Primary School Environmental Improvements: Primary School Primary School E.62 Newtownabbey Educational E.44 E.25 Guidance Centre Belfast Royal Academy, E.13 Newbuildings Gardening Club: Susan’s Trail Our Biodiversity Mournes’ Cleanup Project: St Columbas Trail: St Colm’s High School Belfast Royal Academy, Duke Environmental Trail and E.53 E.23 of Edinburgh’s Award Outdoor Classroom: Creavery E.3 Primary School Our Living Classroom: The Fabric of Belfast’s Heritage E.29 Ballyclare HS Eco Club an urban study: Queen’s Black Pad Community E.8 University Environment Trail: Mullavilly Eskra Out of Schools Wildlife E.22 Primary School Garden: Playtime, Day Nursery, Our Nature Den: Newbuildings Conclusion E.61 Playgroup and Out of School Primary School The Fabric of Belfast’s Heritage Club E.40 online resource: Queen’s Bringing the Classroom E.32 University Outside: St Joseph’s Primary Our Secret Garden Space: E.34 School Fermanagh Citizen Scientists Cloughoge Nursery E.41 Red Squirrel Project: Queen’s E.12 The Learning and Growing University Together Wildlife Area: The NGO Challenge Fund would not have been possible without the Outdoor Classroom: Pond Park Bug and Animal Hotel: E.60 Parkhall Primary School Roddensvale School Primary School E.50 vision and willingness to explore and stretch boundaries of traditional E.43 Forest school Project: The E.27 Holywood Rudolf Steiner TPS Education and Life Outdoor Educational Play funding opportunities by all involved. The success of the programme, Community Garden: St Mary’s School Learning Eco Garden: Equipment: Rathenraw PS, Bellanaleck E.46 Templepatrick Primary School in particular the link to the Carrier Bag Levy, means that this is likely E.7 Integrated Primary School E.16 Fresh Air Exercise Initiative: E.14 Create Sensory Wildlife St Columbs College Trees, Twigs and Timber: Larne Outdoor Environmental to be a continued source of support for the community and voluntary Garden: Holywood Primary E.57 Grammar School School Classroom: St Mary’s Primary E.11 organisations in Northern Ireland, encouraging and enabling them to E.21 Gaelscoil Eoghain’s Big Bird School, Strabane Watch: Gaelscoil Eoghain E.1 Waste Reduction Project: Developing NGO Skills E.63 Langfield Primary School devise and deliver environmental projects which fulfil both their own for Improving Aquatic Outdoor Sesnory Garden: E.56 Environments: University of Gorran Growing Our Own!: Ballycarrickmaddy Primary and the government’s goals and ambitions. Ulster Gorran Primary School School Wildlife Garden: St. Patrick’s E.36 E.31 E.9 Primary School E.47 Dipping for Diversity: Belmont Greenfingers: Erganagh Paper Plastic Cans Recycle House Special School Primary School Take a Stand: Antrim Windmeters for Educational Acknowledgements E.33 E.64 Grammar School Use: University of Ulster E.59 E.55 Duchas An Dulra: Gaelscoil an Growing Minds: Chaistil, Ballycastle Knocknagoney Primary School Parent/Child Friendly Spaces: Windsor Hill PS Secret The NGO Challenge Fund has only been possible because The programme would not have been successful without E.5 E.35 Kylemore Nursery School Garden: Windsor Hill Primary of the vision of DoE Ministers’ Attwood and Durkan; the the hard work and commitment of the NIEL team and the E.10 School, Newry ECOlympics: Fairview Primary Integrated Wetland Diversity E.20 confidence and commitment of NIEA’s Stephen Aston students from Queens University Belfast who assisted with Primary School Area: Ballycastle Integrated Replenishment of Trees/ and Terry A’Hearn with the assistance of Stephen McGlew the project site visits. We would also like to acknowledge the E.6 Primary School & Nursery Shrubs and Refurbishment Wonderful Willows Project: St and the effort and outstanding knowledge of the judging diligence and cooperative attitude of the NGO Challenge E.28 of Greenhouse: Belfast High Mary’s PS, Lurgan Engage Explore Experience School E.38 panel which comprised Stephen Aston, Patrick Casement, Fund recipients. and Enjoy your Environment: Into the Canopy: Foyle View E.18 Martyn Todd with the support of Dr Susan Christie. Lough View Integrated PS Special School Wonderland Walkway: Academy Nursery Unit E.54 Rewilding Scheme: Rainey Primary and Nursery School E.24 Endowed School E.26 Kilkeel PS Community Garden: E.45 Enhancing Outdoor Kilkeel Primary School Wooded and Garden Area: Environment for Learning: E.48 Sensory Garden: St Malachy’s North Coast Integrated College Moyle Primary School Primary School E.2 Kitchen and Wildlife Garden: Bunscoil Bheanna Borcha Woodland Creation: Cooley PS The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) operates within the Department of the Environment (DoE), taking the lead on advising and implementing the Government's environmental policy and strategy for Northern Ireland. The NIEA’s vision is to create prosperity and wellbeing through environmental and heritage excellence. The DoE implements and administers the Carrier Bag Levy within Northern Ireland, working to protect and enhance its environment and heritage, contributing to the economic and social well-being of every community. Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the national forum and networking body for organisations interested in the environment. NIEL was formally launched in 1990 to complete the UK network: Scottish Environment Link, Wales Environment Link and Wildlife and Countryside Link. NIEL’s mission is to be a collective voice promoting the importance of environmental issues through influencing policy and developing partnerships for a healthy environment. NIEL administers the NGO Challenge Fund on behalf of NIEA/DoE.