Primary school children from the Upper Lough Erne region experienced a variety of fun and environmental educational workshops from a number of local heritage organisations at Share Discovery Village recently.
The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership and Share Discovery Village teamed up to deliver the school’s convention with the aim of providing pupils with a unique opportunity to learn and participate in the natural and built heritage of Upper Lough Erne, to develop skills and to learn how to conserve and be a part of their natural environment.
Over 350 local children from 15 schools, mainly in Primary 6, had the opportunity to spend half of the day out canoeing on the lough with Share Discovery Village and Erne Paddlers and the other half of the day was spent attending nature based educational workshops with specialist organisations including: the RSPB, Fermanagh Beekeepers Association, Waterways Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Bug Life, Source to Tap, Marble Arch Global Geopark and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The convention forms part of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership programme that is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will be held annually for the next four years.
Elmarie Swanepoel from Lough Erne Landscape Partnership said: “The inaugural Lough Erne Schools Convention was very successful in engaging the children with their local landscape and unique surroundings of upper Lough Erne. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activities on offer and their engagement throughout the day was a testament to the value of outdoor based environmental education activities.”
Share Discovery Village CEO Peter McEvoy said: "Share Discovery Village is delighted to be part of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership. The Schools Convention again highlighted the capacity and flexibility on offer to organise events at Share. Our staff and all the visiting students had an enjoyable and educational experience."
He added: "The event was part of a trend of increasing environmental focus on both day and residential activities that have been taking place that complement our better-known outdoor activities."
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