20th April 2026

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has successfully delivered a series of engaging Nature Makes Sense events, welcoming a total of 347 participants across two locations, The Grange Park and Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea.

The initiative, now in its second year, is designed to bring communities together through inclusive, nature-based experiences that support children, young people and adults with special educational needs, as well as individuals with a wide range of disabilities.

At The Grange Park, a total of 190 people attended, including 106 children and young people under 16, 38 participants aged 16 and over, and 46 group staff. Meanwhile, Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea welcomed 157 attendees, including 103 under 16s, 17 participants aged 16 and over, and 37 staff members.

Across both locations, participants had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of interactive exhibitors, with 12 organisations present at The Grange Park and 11 at Smiths Strand. These included Council teams alongside environmental and community organisations such as Sperrin Soul, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, Oakwood Bushcraft, Natural World Products, Northern Ireland Resources Network, and many others.

The events were carefully structured to provide meaningful cross-community opportunities that are accessible and enjoyable experiences for all. Morning sessions focused on groups supporting children and young people under 16, combining guided trails with interactive “Earth Explorers” activities. In the afternoon, sessions were tailored for young people and adults aged 16 and over, offering a more flexible format to explore the site and engage with exhibitors at their own pace.

Nature Makes Sense aims to encourage participants to connect with the natural environment while highlighting the positive impact of outdoor activity on health and wellbeing. The programme also supports group staff in building confidence to incorporate outdoor experiences into their own settings.

Speaking about the initiative, Councillor Barry McElduff, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said:

“Nature Makes Sense continues to grow year on year, providing meaningful opportunities for individuals of all abilities to engage with nature in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. It is fantastic to see such strong participation and collaboration across the district.”

The programme is supported by the NIEA Shared Island Fund and The Executive Office District Councils Good Relations Programme.

For further information regarding this or any climate initiatives within the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council or if wish to explore ways to contribute towards addressing Climate Change, please contact the Climate Team at 0300 303 1777 or via email at climate@fermanaghomagh.com or visit https://climate.fermanaghomagh.com/