Young people and staff from Dunclug College at a recent visit to the Ecos Nature Park
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council welcomed students from Dunclug College to the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena recently for a fun-filled outdoor lesson on nature and the environment!
This was the first session for the students and it is hoped they will take part in the forthcoming winter planting season at the park.
The lesson was geared towards their current studies with Clare Witherspoon from Dunclug College explaining:
“Our Year 12 pupils who are studying agriculture really enjoyed this interesting and informative morning learning about willow coppicing and hurdle making. It was a fantastic hands-on experience, where everyone had a go at cutting down willow and then using it to build a hurdle - learning the very simple but effective technique. A fantastic opportunity which everyone loved!”
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said:
“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council staff from the Parks and the Open Spaces Development Team were delighted to take Dunclug College students through a selection of exercises to engage their interest and increase their knowledge of the great outdoors.
“The pupils were taught the ancient farming practice of coppicing to show the connection between this old practice and the sustainability of modern farming with enhanced biodiversity. Given the current levels of biodiversity loss globally, we are trying to encourage more tree planting and educate our residents to ensure our green spaces will be here for future generations.
“Initiatives such as today’s session will help to spread the word about how we all can play our part to help nature recover.”
Activities included learning about different tree species, coppicing techniques and planning tree planting for the coming season.
Mayor Mulvennas concluded:
"Council is committed to protecting and promoting the biodiversity of the Borough 365 days a year and I would encourage everyone to get outdoors and enjoy our fantastic open spaces and wide range of flora and fauna. Our parks provide spaces for families to relax, play, walk and observe wildlife.”
This project was funded under the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund which aims to involve communities in projects around woodland creation.
For further information or if you would like to plant some trees email trees@midandeastantrim.gov.uk