Lines from the Environmental Education Forum Vol. 5 Issue 5 AUTUMN 2008 Eco-YOUth can make a difference
Inside Page 2 Introduction
Page 3 News from EEF
Page 4-7 Members News
Page 8 Other News
Page 9-10 Diary Dates The Youth Service sector in Northern Ireland plays a major role in supporting and encouraging young people to mature and reach their potential as valued Page 11-12 individuals and responsible citizens. Resources & Training This annual Youth Service edition of the LEEF newsletter will explore ways in which the EEF’s member groups and the Youth Service can work together to promote the education of children as environmentally and socially aware individuals and empower them with the knowledge, skills and experience to EIGHT PAGE lead sustainable lifestyles. SUPPLEMENT
Environmental Education Forum c/o Northern Ireland Environment Link 89 Loopland Drive Belfast BT6 9DW
Phone: (028) 9045 5770 Fax: (028) 9094 2151 PRINTED ON E-mail: [email protected] RECYCLED PAPER Website: eefni.org.uk INTRODUCTION
Alyn Jones Alliance Youth Works, Kilbroney Centre
Youth Groups and the Environment: Working to Insipre!
In recent years the EEF and its members have been working very hard to be more relevant to the formal education sector in Northern Ireland, by examining our programming in the light of the Revised Curriculum. We have cogitated and ruminated, reflected and pulled our resources. It’s what we do well at the EEF, bring the right people with the most up to date information to meet the members and then having been challenged and educated ourselves, support one another as we make the necessary changes to raise the collective standard of environmental education across the North. This has worked well, but there is another way of reaching children and young people that we have been missing to a large extent, the wonderful and diverse world of informal education. These Statutory, Voluntary, NGO and charitable groups, all have a vital role to play in the education of our children and young people and each year work hard to expose them to new experiences outside of the classroom. Hundreds of volunteers and youth workers pour thousands of man-hours into creative and dynamic programmes enthusing, encouraging and empowering children and young people in a range of activities and subjects. The Curriculum Development Unit of the Department of Education may have created an excellent model of effective practice which most organisations will be aware of, but the sector is still some what fragmented and therefore youth work is more often a case of “you in your small corner and I in mine” in comparison to the coherent juggernaut of the school system.
Reaching the Youth Sector
So how do we begin to impact this informal education sector? The Youth Service does have a list of curriculum areas which are very useful to “hang” support resources and programmes on. Health Education, Guidance and Counselling, Values and Beliefs, Creative Arts, Outdoor Education, Sport and Recreation, Widening Horizons, Community Relations and Involvement, Political Awareness and Active Citizenship, Development Education and Environmental Awareness. If these don’t get your creative juices flowing then nothing will. It is possible to offer similar programmes to the informal sector as we do to the formal sector, but it is important to remember that the kids and young people in youth groups are there voluntarily and may have a differently disciplined structure around them and depending on what the aim of the session is, may not be prepared to engage in the more “school-like” activities of measuring and defining and more readily hooked by experiences and fun exploration. It is a good idea therefore, if you pursue childrens and youth groups, to agree aims and objectives with the leadership and explain your methodology so that there would be no misinterpretation of what will occur on their visit.
Making a Difference and Encouraging Action
We have all become proficient in counting the cost of a project, seeking out added value and budgeting for success. We walk a tightrope between what will impress on paper and what will bring longevity to our organisation and our current projects. But how often do we figure on the young people we work with being such a valuable resource? Do we look at them as figures on a page or potential foot soldiers in the ongoing battle for environmental awareness in society? Young people who choose to attend youth organisations do so because they want to be in relationship with the leadership there - they elect to engage with the programme because of the opportunities it offers them outside of their daily life - they opt into this system of education because they want to grow and develop at their speed and not because there is a timetable by which they must learn, grow and move on. What if our organisations were able to enthuse, and inspire these children and young people to opt in, to choose, to elect to be more than just consumers of learning about the environment as a science/ geography project, but instead, people in relationship with the natural world and with others equally passionate about it, with opportunities to conserve and support it and therefore grow and develop as whole individuals having found their place in the natural order.
I’m a big fan of the John Muir Award and when we offer this programme to young people at the Kilbroney Centre we engage in an educational model put forward by Patrick Geddes known as the 3 H model. At its core Geddes says that experiences created on fun, authenticity and adventure start a cyclical chain between the heart, head and hands. Experiences that inspire the heart to care, inform the head with knowledge and guide hands to meaningful work are a potent cocktail. Youth organisations The Kilbroney Centre are much more flexible in their programming 15 Kilbroney Road Rostrevor than schools can be, so reaching them is a BT34 3BW much more creative and fun process. With a little thought and planning, a little tweaking of 028 4173 8401 our existing programmes and projects we can reach this sector with our message.
2 NEWS FROM the EEF
THE EEF: THREE YEARS ON!
Welcome to the latest LEEF Newsletter with updates from the Environmental Education Forum which provides information on activities in the environmental education and education for sustainable development sectors in Northern Ireland. The work of the Forum is supported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Forum is always grateful to them for their support.
Well it has been three years since the EEF was re-launched and the time really has flown. We have been working very hard for all the members of the Forum, by carrying out a whole raft of activities which have helped sectors come together to better co-ordinate the delivery of Environmental education in Northern Ireland. The work of the EEF will continue to develop and expand into new areas in the coming years and it is hoped that the members will continue to see the benefits of being part of the wider network when it comes to the development of their own programmes.
New ESD Resource Guide for Teachers and Youth Leaders Launched
A new ESD Resource Guide for schools and youth groups, produced by the Environmental Education Forum, was launched at a recent EEF conference. The document has been designed to help teachers and group leader source organisations within Northern Ireland who can contribute to or provide Environmental Education / Education for Sustainable Development visits and talks.
The booklet contains details of Forum members, the education programmes that they provide, the links those programmes have to all levels and subjects in the NI curriculum and relevant contact details, e-mail and website addresses. It gives details of how schools, playgroups, nurseries and youth organisations can become involved in environmental education work that will lead to the next generation becoming more aware of their environment, engaged with it and inspired to take action to lead more sustainable lifestyles at school and at home.
If you would like to receive a copy, or further copies, of the document please contact the Forum at eef@ nienvironmentlink.org or telephone (028) 9045 5770. The document will also be available to download from the EEF website at the following address: www.eefni.org.uk/publications
Education for Sustainable Development Days 2008
Every year the Forum runs ESD Days at all of Northern Ireland’s Universities. These are delivered by EEF member groups, and are aimed at trainee teachers and PGCE students. The days consist of a series of workshops in which the leaders demonstrate best practice in delivery of EE / ESD through various aspects of the curriculum. In 2008/09 season there will be six such days carried out at Queen’s University, the University of Ulster at Coleraine, Stranmillis College and St Mary’s College.
Groups and agencies not facilitating a workshop at any of the above days are invited to attend as an observer should they wish to see the workshops in action and learn more about the importance of integrating ESD into the curriculum through the subjects taught by the student teachers. Please contact [email protected] should you like to come along to one of these events.
Join the Forum
Are you interested or involved in environmental education? Then why not consider joining the Forum? Membership is open to all organisations and individuals, and fees are based on a band system. As well as being part of a major network of environmental education providers, you will benefit from; a quarterly newsletter (LEEF), regular e-bulletins, members’ training events, conferences, contributing to University ESD Days, support and publicity for your work and much more!
Andy Griggs For more information on the EEF or how to join please contact: EEF Co-ordinator 89 Loopland Drive Or visit our website www.eefni.org.uk Belfast BT6 9DW
028 9045 5770
3 MEMBERS NEWS
Taking A Group To The North Coast?
The National Trust is pleased to offer the hire of their education centre for youth groups visiting the North Coast. The centre was constructed in 1997 and is within short walking distance of the Giant’s Causeway. There is room for coach or mini-bus parking on-site and the centre offers a bright and spacious environment, catering for groups of up to 70.
The centre is an ideal base for groups who are not only visiting the Giant’s Causeway but other sites around the North Coast such as White Park Bay and Portstewart Strand.
It has excellent facilities for groups to avail of, including:
• Worktops and seating. • Access to audio/visual equipment. • Laptop computer and projector. • Various educational aids. • Toilet facilities. • Complete disabled access and facilities. • Tea and coffee making facilities. The National Trust Rowallane House These facilities are available for hire all year round at a cost of £20 Saintfield per day. BT24 7LH
028 9751 2356 Bookings can be made by contacting the following number: 028 2073 1582.
Wildlife Action Awards
The RSPB Wildlife Action Awards Scheme supports individuals or groups finding out about wildlife, doing practical things to help and telling other people. There is a bronze, silver and gold award. You complete six activities at each level. An activity booklet provides lots of guidance and ideas for activities. To find out more about Wildlife Action Awards contact the RSPB Northern Ireland on 028 9049 1547 or visit our website www.rspb.org.uk
Over the past year, 40 girls from 1st Moira Guides (see photo below right) have been working towards completing the bronze level of their Wildlife Action Awards.
John Scovell, warden at our RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve, presented them with their awards. The guides joined him for an evening to help repair the disabled access path in preparation for this year’s visits to our “SEEK”(Sensory Exploration and Exercise Kit) project by local Special Schools. The guides are now working towards their silver level and hope to return to Portmore next year to give a helping hand once more.
Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2009!
It is never too soon to prepare for the Birdwatch event of the year!
By feeding birds and providing nesting sites in your school grounds throughout the winter you will be supporting many of our garden birds and providing a useful teaching resource as well! The RSPB ‘Big Schools’ Birdwatch’ has grown steadily over the past five years, and it is part of the world’s biggest bird watching event; the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
More people than ever took part in that event at home in 2008, and the Big Schools’ Birdwatch encourages children to take part while they are at school.
Children are asked to watch the birds in their school grounds or local park and record the highest number of each species they see at any one time. They can then submit their results using our online form or RSPB by post. N I Headquarters Belvoir Park Forest Big Schools Birdwatch takes place during the last week of January and Belfast the first week of February every year. Watch our website for details of BT7 8QT teachers packs with lots of ideas for curriculum-linked activities linked to the Birdwatch: www.rspb.org.uk. 028 9049 1547
4 MEMBERS NEWS
Eco-Unesco Environmental Youth Programmes SIGN UP FOR ECO-UNESCO’S PEER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES!
ECO-UNESCO runs two peer education programmes - Youth for Sustainable Development and ECO-Youth Choices. Both of these programmes are starting again in mid-September. Places are limited so don’t be disappointed.
Youth for Sustainable Development is an innovative youth-led after-school programme that encourages young people (15-18 years old) to explore sustainable development, how it relates to them and young people in other parts of the world. The weekly workshops will use creative methods such as drama and visual art to examine the links between environment, society and economy in a local and global context. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to empower them to be peer educators in their own schools and communities. This programme is for any young person who is motivated to learn more about sustainability. It is also suitable for existing groups of young people who want to take action in their local community.
For more information contact Eimear McNally on +353 1 6625491 or at [email protected]
ECO-Youth Choices is a 12-week drugs prevention and awareness peer education programme using environmental education. This programme is aimed at young people between 15-18 years old and is specially suited for members of Youth Groups. During the programme, participants will develop teamwork, decision making and communication skills. Young people are invited to take a critical look to their surroundings and how they influence them; assess what they can and cannot do to improve them; and act by putting into practice an environmental action project.
For more information contact Armin Krautgasser +353 1 6625491 or at [email protected]
Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist Awards
ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2009 – Registration is Open!
It’s time for young people to start brainstorming project ideas to improve their local environment and register for ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards 2009, which celebrates 10 years of the programme.
Teacher and youth leaders from registered groups will be entitled to free training. As places are limited, early registration is advisable. ECO-UNESCO will be running a FREE twilight training session for teachers and youth leaders in Belfast Central Library on Thursday 30th October 2008, 6-8pm (time to be confirmed).
Visit ECO-UNESCO’s website (www.ecounesco.ie) to download the YEA 2009 Poster, Manual and Registration form.
For information and support, contact Karen Sheeran, ECO UNESCO’s YEA Coordinator at yea@ecounesco.
ECO-UNESCO 26 Clare Street Dublin 2 Young people from St. Catherine’s College (Co. Armagh) receive Overall Junior Young 00353 1662 5491 Environmentalist Award 2008 from Elaine Nevin, Director, ECO-UNESCO and Audrey Hagerty, Principal Officer, Youth Affairs Section Department of Education & Science.
5 MEMBERS NEWS
Action Renewables
Action Renewables is the leading organisation in Northern Ireland in the promotion and development of renewable energy.
Action Renewables delivers a large portfolio of programmes including:
• general awareness raising • road shows • seminars • performance monitoring of technologies • research and evaluation • policy • lobbying
Youth Work
Action Renewables programmes are also offered to youth groups and church groups. Groups can learn about a variety of energy and climate change issues and come into contact with Renewable Robbie.
On 27 November, 2007, the Primary Education Officer for Action Renewables, visited a Girls Brigade at Holy Trinity Church in Carrickfergus to carry out a presentation on renewable energy and related issues such as climate change. The leaders of the G.B. felt that it was vitally important that the girls are aware of the importance of looking after their surroundings. The girls really enjoyed Renewable Robbie, the robot who performed his famous dance for them! They learnt that burning fossil fuels for electricity and heat can have detrimental effects on the environment while using alternatives such as wind, solar, water and biomass do not harm the Earth. The leaders Action Renewables felt this topic really fitted in well with aims and targets of the Girls Brigade. Innovation Centre NI Science Park Queens Road Belfast, BT3 9DT
028 9073 7862
T.A.C.T. Wildlife Centre Youth Programmes
For many years the T.A.C.T. Wildlife Centre has been working with Northern Ireland’s Youth Service sector, providing talks and visits to groups and organisations interested in learning about wildlife conservation and caring for animals. The Centre itself is based in Crumlin and is a voluntarily run charity that cares for and rehabilitates sick and injured wild birds and mammals, attempting to release as many back to the wild as possible.
The Trust has an extensive education programme both in schools and with after schools groups and is actively involved in a wide range of projects encouraging community participation in wildlife issues.
T.A.C.T. can visit your group for an interactive and highly stimulating hands-on experience with live animals, and works with a range of organisations such as Scouts, Girls Brigades, Boys Brigades, Youth Clubs, Summer Schemes, Mother’s Unions, Community and Development Associations, Chest, Heart and Stroke groups and Playgroups.
T.A.C.T 2 Crumlin Road Crumlin BT29 4AD
028 9445 9739
6 MEMBERS NEWS
Woodland Trust
Free trees for children – and all at the click of a button
It’s back to school and time to give your school grounds a little TLC. The Woodland Trust is offering schools and youth groups in Northern Ireland the chance to apply for a special, free consignment of 30 native trees (enough for a small grove or hedge). Due to demand, the current offer is limited to schools and groups who have not previously applied this year.
The popular initiative is part of the Trust’s ambitious ‘Tree For All’ campaign, supported by Northern Ireland Environment Agency. During the campaign, 12 million trees will be planted throughout the UK, with half a million set for Northern Ireland - that’s one tree for every child under the age of 16. The Woodland Trust wants every child to have the chance to plant a tree, and is reaching out to schools, youth groups and youngsters right across the country.
Earlier this year, the Woodland Trust carried out a survey to find out just how much Northern Ireland’s 9 to 11 year olds know about trees, woodlands and the environment. While there was almost universal agreement that trees are important, our youngsters struggled to identify the leaves of common trees such as oak. It seems that children are losing touch with nature; something that Tree For All hopes to rectify.
Patrick Cregg of the Woodland Trust says: “We really hope that school teachers and youth group leaders will make the most of this special offer. It’s a great opportunity for young people to take part in the physical activity of tree planting, to have fun, and to learn about nature. In years to come, the trees will provide a much-needed habitat for wildlife.”
Interested schools and youth groups can find out more and apply online at www.woodland-trust.org.uk/ hedge. The packs will be delivered during November, the start of the tree-planting season. The website Woodland Trust also provides detailed planting instructions and curriculum-linked resources. 1 Dufferin Court Dufferin Avenue For further information telephone the Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787. Bangor BT 20 3BX
028 9127 5787
Carnfunnock Country Park
Carnfunnock Country Park is a fantastic place to bring school or youth groups to explore the natural world. Located 3 miles north of Larne on the famous Antrim Coast Road, Carnfunnock has a reputation as a safe, family-friendly park, attracting around 200,000 visitors every year.
Having woodland, coastline, wetlands and open farmland all contained within its boundaries, as well as a number of sub-habitats, there is plenty to see and do in Carnfunnock. Staff would like to see our historic features, such as the 12th century motte, as well as the features mentioned above used more often for education purposes.
There are also facilities in our education centre which can be hired out for educational purposes or eating packed lunches during bad weather. If the weather is fine we have picnic and BBQ facilities around the park.
Until recently the park did not have a dedicated member of staff to focus on environmental education. Continued growth in visitor numbers has led Larne Borough Council to develop the park’s potential for environmental education with the appointment of a duty officer who will, amongst other things, be responsible for enhancing Carnfunnock’s attributes for environmental education and compiling a suitable programme of events and resources which schools and youth groups can use for teaching children (and adults!) about the world they live in.
Currently there are several education resources available to download from our website (www.larne.gov. uk/carnfunnock), including a Maths Trail which is designed for 9-11 year olds and is conducted in the Walled Garden. There are many new exciting educational resources and events currently being developed and we hope to advertise these as and when they become available. As this is a new post, we will be carrying out Carnfunnock Country a full educational audit, but we would welcome ideas from anyone involved in education who has visited Park Coast Road the park in the past, either as part of a group visit or on a personal level. If you have any ideas, queries Drains Bay or would like more information on Carnfunnock, please contact [email protected]. Larne BT 40 2QG
028 2827 0541
7 OTHER NEWS Encouraging Environmental Learning through Play with
A County Tyrone based company who specialise in education through the arts has created an innovative and fun way of relaying environmental messages to ensure that pre school and primary school children get the best environmental information in a fun and interactive way.
Kathryn O’Neill, Manager of the B.E.A.M. Centre in Donaghmore says:
“We have recently developed a series of educational puppet shows around the theme ‘Our Environment’. At the B.E.A.M Centre, we believe it is never too early to learn of the environment and the world around us. Through our work with pre-schools and early year groups, we have learned just how much children can explore and enter the world that puppets create. They provide an essential link between learning and play which makes them wonderful teaching tools for at home, the classroom and in the wider community. Our scripts have been carefully prepared to ensure an entertaining and educational interactive session for children aged 3 to 7 years.”
Using a bright and colourful backdrop of a farmyard scene, the puppet shows use a series of friendly characters such as Clever Cat and Silly Moo to convey up to date and topical messages on the world around us.
For further information on B.E.A.M. and the environmental projects they provide, please contact Kathryn O’Neill or Ann Marie McNulty on 028 8776 9157 or visit the B.E.A.M. Centre website at www.beamcentre.com
Environmental Learning through Arts for Schools
Is your school or youth group struggling to convey the key messages of environmental awareness with your students? Have you considered using arts and drama as a vehicle to bring the message across in a fun and interactive way?
At the B.E.A.M Centre in Donaghmore, a range of arts activities are available for a wide range of school age groups with ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ as the underlying themes.
From puppets shows for preschool and early primary years to educational workshops for upper primary and secondary level students, the use of arts as an educational and information vehicle is a concept that the staff at the B.E.A.M. Centre in County Tyrone strongly believe in.
Kathryn O’Neill, Manager of the B.E.A.M. Centre says:
“We have carefully developed a wide range of arts based activities and drama workshops which are carried out by fully accredited facilitators in the school’s own environment. Our puppet shows are a popular information source for younger children, whilst our drama workshops on Wake Up to Waste are a fantastic vehicle to bring key environmental issues to older primary ages and secondary level students.”
The workshops explore issues such as recycling options, when to reuse, how to reduce and biodegradable awareness sessions through role play and creative discussion, and the puppet shows are tailored to relay the same messages to younger schoolchildren in a fun and interactive way using music and scenarios. For the older groups, the workshops aim to enable students to see issues and dilemmas from a number of points of view, show empathy with environmental issues and use their imagination to produce solutions and ideas to address complex tasks.
If you are a school or youth group who wish to avail of any of these services, or if you would like further information on B.E.A.M’s environmental workshops and drama sessions, please contact Kathryn O’Neill or Ann Marie McNulty on 028 8776 9157.
Visit The B.E.A.M. Centre online at www.beamcentre.com
Kathryn O’Neill or Ann Marie McNulty Unit 2 Torrent Valley Business Park Donaghmore BT70 2UD
028 8776 9157
8 DIARY DATES
October 2008 Wednesday 1st October – 24th January 2009 Japan in Belfast Come along to Armagh County Museum to get an insight into one of the most artistic nations in the world, this exhibition from the Ulster Museum’s Ethnography collections includes Samurai armour and swords which are masterpieces of metal smithing. It also includes enamelled cloisonné plates, netsuke by the famous carver Toshimara, pottery, porcelain and stoneware.
Saturday 25th October 2pm & 3.30pm Creepy Capers! – Carnfunnock Park Larne Join storyteller Liz Weir and enjoy her spooky stories and ghostly tales. Make a scary mask for Halloween and other novelty crafts before following the cryptic clues on the Carnfunnock ‘Mini Treasure Haunt’. Suitable for children aged 5-11. Booking essential. Contact 028 2826 0088. Cost £5 per child.
Saturday 25th October 2-5pm Ghostly Halloween Come along to Ardress House in Co-Armagh for some Children’s Entertainment and Fancy Dress Competition.Admission Adult £4 Child £2. Contact 028 8778 4753.
Thursday 30th October 5.30 -7pm Spooky Wildlife Walk Come along to Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh and take a walk on the wild side this Halloween. Uncover the park’s elusive night time creatures and prepared to be shocked with fascinating facts. Come in fancy dress and you could win a prize.
Friday 31st October 10.30am Boo at the Zoo Join in a fun packed day of eerie activities including, spooky storytelling, crafts, reptile display, face painting, bat talks, a spooky trail. A fancy dress and best carved pumpkin competition. You can get in free if you arrive in fancy dress.
November 2008
Sat 1st and Sun 2nd November 11am – 3.30pm Reptile Display Belfast Zoo Meet some exotic reptiles such as bearded dragons, geckos and the blue tongued skink in the education centre.
Sunday 2nd November 2 - 5pm Second Hand Book Sale Come along to The Argory, Moy and browse through thousands of second hand books. Contact 028 8778 4753.
Sunday 2nd November 2 – 4pm Fungi Foray and Autumn Walk in the Colin Glen Forest Park A walk through the woodland identifying numerous varieties of mushrooms and other fungal species in the forest, some of which are poisonous. Expert instruction will be on had to guide participants. Admission Adult £2, Child £1.
Sat 8th - Sun 9th November 11am – 5pm Book Fair & Literary Festival Come along to Castle Ward and browse through thousands of used books, LPs and CDs for a great bargain, then visit the special property literary events and meet guest authors. Normal admission charges apply. Contact 028 4488 1204.
Sunday 16th November 2 – 4pm Winter Gardening for Beginners Attract wildlife to your garden in winter – animal refuges and winter planting. Contact Quoile Countryside Centre. For further information contact 028 4461 5520.
Sat 22nd November 11am - 1pm Remarkable Trees of Minnowburn Join a National Trust Warden and a Lagan Valley Regional Park Ranger for a walk around Minnowburn on this tree discovery trail. No charge, donations welcome.
Sat 22nd – 23rd November 2 – 5pm Preparing the House for Christmas – The Argory Moy Join The Argory staff as they prepare the house for December’s activities and start to get into that proper Christmas feeling. Contact 028 8778 4753. Normal admission charges apply.
Saturday 29th November 2 – 4pm Tree Planting Demonstration at Colin Glen A practical workshop demonstrating how to prepare plant and maintain trees so you can take home your own tree whip and grow it in your garden. Admission: £2.00 Children £1
9 DIARY DATES
December 2008
Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th December 1 - 5pm Victorian Christmas Craft Fair Come along to The Argory, Moy and visit Santa Claus and browse around over 60 stalls, festive fayre and festive music. Admission Adult £4, Child £2.
Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th December 2 - 6pm Christmas at Crom Co Fermanagh Get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to Crom. Enjoy an afternoon of Christmas carols, children’s activities and a family visit to Santa. Every child receives a beautiful gift. Booking Essential 028 6773 8118. Admission Adult £5, Child £10.
Sunday 7th December 2 - 4pm Holly and Ivy Christmas Creations – Colin Glen Forest Park Using holly, ivy and other materials collected from the Glen to create your own individual Christmas Wreath or hand crafted Yule Log to take home and decorate your home for the festive season. Adult £3, Child £2.
Sunday 7th December 10am – 3.30pm Hazel Coppicing at Glenarm Nature Reserve Volunteer your help with the annual hazel coppicing at Glenarm co Antrim and gain experience in a traditional skill, in a beautiful woodland setting. The day’s practical activities will close with a short tour of the nature reserve. Bring a packed lunch.
Sunday 7th December 2pm Garden Walks & Talks - Winter Wonders Walk with an experienced guide and visit areas of the garden not usually open at this time of year. View Mount Stewart’s winter flowers. Includes refreshments. Booking essential. Contact 028 4278 8387. Adult £12.
Sunday 7th and 14th December 2.30 – 3.30pm Children’s Workshop – Carrickfergus Castle Card making, decorations, and gift wrapping with a recycled theme. Normal admission applies.
Fri 12th – Sun 14th December Days of Christmas Past – Ulster American Park Omagh Within the unique setting of the outdoor museum you will discover the origins of many familiar Christmas customs in rural UIster and the American frontier. Explore the seasonal traditions of a bygone era in this magical Christmas event.
Sat 13th – Sun 14th December Santa at Exploris - Portaferry Santa spends the weekend at Exploris delivering presents to our younger visitors. On Sunday, Santa dons a wetsuit to bring a festive feast to the fishy residents of the Open Sea Tank. Opening times 11am-5pm Sat, 1- 5pm Sun.
Sat 13th – Sun 21st December A Magical Christmas at Belfast Zoo Visit Santa in his grotto and enjoy a range of special Christmas activities. For details call Belfast Zoo on 028 9077 3277 or visit the website www.belfastzoo.co.uk. Normal zoo opening times.
Sat 13th - Sun 14th December Rowallane Garden - Yuletide Market 12 noon - 5pm The original Christmas market with craft stalls and food to suit all the family. Mulled wine, hot chestnuts, Christmas trees, wreaths and floral art to decorate your home. Come and soak up the Christmas atmosphere! £4 per car including members.
January 2009 Thur 1st Jan 2pm News Year’s Day Winter Woodland Walk - Mount Stewart Walk the woods with an experienced guide and feel lees guilty about the extra portin of pudding! Includes hot drinks. Booking essential. Contact 028 4278 8387 Adult £10, Child £3 and Family £22.
Thur 1st Jan - Fri 31st Reduce, Re-use, Recycle at Belfast Zoo Bring your glass, plastic and unwanted clothers. There are permanent recycling banks in the car park. For details call Belfast Zoo on 028 9077 6277 or vist the website www.belfsatzoo.co.uk.
Sat 10th Jan 11am - 1pm Discovery Trail: Winter Wonderland Walk of Cave Hill Scale the heights of Cave Hill and help shed the excesses of Christmas on this forth leg of the Belfast Hills Discovery Trail. Make sure that you wear adequate footwear and clothing. Meet at Belfast Castle car park. Call the Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466. or email [email protected].
10 RESOURCES CDU Newsletter And Resource Library The Curriculum Development Unit (CDU), the body responsible for developing and implementing the youth service curriculum, currently publishes practical and useful curriculum resources. One of these is CDN News a monthly newsletter which provides up to date news, resources and good practice for those involved in youth work. The January edition can be found at the following address: www.youthworkni.org.uk.
The CDU also publishes an annual library catalogue. The catalogue contains details of nearly 1000 resources which are available on loan from the CDU through their postal borrowing system. The catalogue provides resource details including author, title, and a summary and cover photograph. Resources are useful in curriculum program areas for ease of use. You can also search the library database online using a library search facility. The website address is: www.youthworkni.org.uk.
The Story Of Stuff Website From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact- filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. An excellent resource for education for sustainable development. Find it at the following address: www.storyofstuff.com/index.html
Shout About Climate Solutions Together The Friends of the Earth’s annual activity project for 11-13 year olds for 2009 is all about finding solutions to climate change in your local community.
Friends of the Earth offer a free resource pack full of information and activity ideas to bring the subject to life in your local schools or youth groups. The pack explores what young people can do to reduce their own carbon footprint and help their local community to become a greener, healthier place. It is perfect for learning about Citizenship as well as Science, Geography and more.
All you need to do to receive your free pack is to sign up online by visiting www.foe.co.uk/learning/ educators.
UNESCO And UNEP To Launch New Kit Encouraging Sustainable Consumption
UNESCO and UNEP have created an online kit giving guidance on sustainable consumption. The kit is downloadable from the Youth Exchange website (YXC) and is divided into useful sections making it accessible and easy to use. Using accessible information, concrete examples and everyday language, the kit provides many facts & figures on SC issues. The tool kit highlights the links between cultural, geographical and inter- generational factors. In particular, YXC underlines how SC directly relates to quality of life, efficient use of resources (both human and natural), reduction of waste, ethical issues such as child labour, animal cruelty, fair trade and general equality.
ENFO Resources
Three Colouring and Guide Books produced for ENFO by Sherkin Island Marine Station, packed with useful facts and descriptions of Sea Creatures, Wild flowers, and Birds.Excellent for education, reference, and colouring. Visit www.enfo.ie
11 TRAINING Vetting & Barring Scheme Free Information Sessions Volunteer Development Agency
The new Vetting & Barring Scheme, established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation, will be fully operational from 12 October 2009.
In order to prepare employers, organisations, regulatory bodies and workers to undertake their respon- sibilities and requirements under the new scheme, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has commissioned the Volunteer Development Agency to deliver a series of Information Sessions between October 2008 and October 2009.
Sessions will be tailored to the needs of the following sectors:
• Health Sector • Education Sector • Voluntary and Community Sectors • Miscellaneous Groupings
Julie-Anne Ashe In order to book a place online please follow the links below: www.volunteering-ni.org
028 8081 8316 1. Under the heading ‘What we do’ click on ‘Child Protection’ 2. Click on ‘Vetting & Barring Scheme Information Sessions’ julie-anne@ volunteering-ni.org 3. Follow booking instructions.
Wrap Training Courses 2008-09
Recycling Manager: Phase 2 24-26 February 2009 Formerly known as the ‘Advanced’ course, the Phase 2 training course further develops the key principles covered in the Phase 1 course and is targeted at Waste and Recycling Managers with 3 or more years ex- perience. The course has 3 modules:
1. Optimising collections 2. The role of contracts 3. Getting more people involved Laura Mawle A full list of courses and course outlines can be found at www.wrap.org.uk/training, where you will also [email protected] find the link for online course registration. Delegates from Northern Ireland may also register to attend any 01295 819655 of WRAP’s courses being run across the UK. Please note that these courses can only run if the minimum number of delegates is met so register your interest. Keith 028 9051 1815
WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED READING THIS NEWSLETTER PASS IT ON TO WORK COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS OR INTERESTED GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY ENJOY READING IT.
What is the Environmental Education Forum? overlaps in provision and to promote greater interaction among The Environmental Education Forum is a networking organisation all those involved in environmental education and education for that promotes a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of sustainable development. environmental education in Northern Ireland. Members include representatives of central and local government, the voluntary How can I join the Forum? sector and educationalists. Membership of the Forum is open to organisations and individuals interested in environmental education. Environment What are the aims of the Forum? and Heritage Service funds the core administrative costs of the The Forum itself was established in 1995 with the aim of enhancing Forum, but contribution is levied from members to cover the the profile of environmental education in the Curriculum. It aims direct costs of running the Forum. Annual membership fees are to promote the role of environmental education in the delivery based on a ‘band’ system depending on organisational status of many core and non-core Curriculum subjects, encourage and the number of people benefiting from the Forum’s activities partnership, improve co-operation, exchange information, avoid within that organisation.