Good Relations- Connections to Nature Programme
Under our safe community of Together: Building a United Community Strategy Fermanagh and Omagh Good Relations has developed Connections to Nature Programme. Complementing the Biodiversity Strategy the programme explores the links between respect for the environment and shared interest in achieving sustainability goals.
Pollinator Event
As part of Good Relations Connection to Nature Programme Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council held a Pollinator Event in celebration of World Bee Day at Tullyvar Recycling Centre On Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st May.
The Good Relations shared education event provided 8 local schools (200+ children) the opportunity to learn about the vital role that bees and other pollinators play in our outdoor environment. The children from all 8 schools were brought together and then divided into groups and rotated around each of the activity stations, from building bee homes, insect surveys, seed balls, wetlands, pond dipping and paper potters. The event helped to raise awareness, share knowledge, enjoy each other’s company and have fun outdoors!
Alan Rainey, Chair of Tullyvar Joint Committee (FODC) and (MUDC) Vice Chair, Meta Graham extended a very warm welcome to everyone from:
- Roscavey Primary School
- McClintock Primary School
- St Mary‘s Primary School Aughnacloy
- Churchill Primary School, Caledon
- St McCartan’s Primary School Clogher
- Augher Central Primary School
- St Brigid’s Primary School, Altamuskin
- Cooley Primary School
Bio Blitz
Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council held a Bio Blitz Event at Tullyvar Recycling Centre On Monday 25th November, as another element of Good Relations Connection to Nature Programme.
Approximately 80 students from both council areas participated, including those from St. Lawrence Primary School and Denamona Primary School in Fintona (Fermanagh and Omagh area), as well as St. Patrick’s Primary School in Aughadarragh and Carntall Primary School in Clogher (Mid Ulster area).
Tree Planting
Students from the schools in Omagh, who will be part of the Strule Shared Education Campus, joined FODC Climate Team and members of the Omagh Rotary Club to plant trees at Arleston Park.
With funding from The Executive Office District Councils Good Relations programme and the Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and Conservation Volunteers free trees for schools programme, trees were planted in this popular shared space in Omagh to create avenue planting and extend the woodlands and hedgerows. Participants planted a variety of native and pollinator-friendly trees to support local wildlife and help tackle climate change.
As well as enhancing the local park to make it a welcoming and enjoyable space for residents and visitors alike, the additional trees will help to restore biodiversity and create healthy and vibrant ecosystems. This will have a positive impact on the environment as the trees will help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which will clean the air and help to mitigate against the impacts of Climate Change.
Commending the local students for taking part in the initiative, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, said:
“This was an excellent intergenerational event which brought together young people from the Omagh Post Primary Schools and members of Omagh Rotary Club to plant trees and creating a lasting legacy in Arleston Park.
As well as enhancing this beautiful shared open space, it also provided an opportunity for everyone to get outdoors, which contributes to improved mental health, and helped to foster social cohesion and positive relationships by bringing everyone together for a shared activity.”
Paul Douglas, The Executive Office Good Relation and T: BUC Trees Division said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to be able to attend this event. Bringing people from across the community together to focus on their shared environment is exactly why the T:BUC Trees Programme was founded, and The Executive Office is proud to have been able to offer its support.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to working in partnership with local communities to utilise opportunities such as this to build capacity to protect and enhance our environment.
Environmental Youth Speak
Pupils from twelve Primary Schools across the Fermanagh and Omagh District participated in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s first Fermanagh and Omagh Environmental Youth Speak competition.
The competition, which was run in partnership with South West College and was held in the Erne Campus, Enniskillen, saw the pupils deliver outstanding speeches on the topic of ‘Where would we Bee without Pollinators’.
The speeches were judged by representatives from the Council, South West College and the National Trust and, with such a high standard, they had a difficult task to select the winners.
The overall winners were from Omagh County Primary School with pupils from St Mary’s Primary School, Teemore and Enniskillen Model Primary School awarded Runner-Up. Three Highly Commended awards were also presented to pupils from St Mary’s Primary School, Teemore; Enniskillen Model Primary School and Dromore Primary School. All the participants received a commemorative certificate in recognition of taking part in the competition.
During the interval, the young people had the opportunity to enjoy activities provided by the Council’s Climate Team, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark and Natural World Products.
