Kids to get ataste of 1600sin Ervey woods

An estimated 600 pupils will take part over the next week including pupils from Ebrington Primary School who will take their turn next Wednesday.

Patrick Cregg, NI Director with Woodland Trust said: “This programme is designed to bring pupils closer to nature, while engaging and inspiring children about woods and trees through practical, hands-on-activities.

“There is growing evidence which supports the belief that children learn more effectively outdoors. Woodland Trust is very excited about this innovative 3 year school programme which will be run at various woodland sites within the Faughan Valley.”

Each day pupils will visit the woodlands to take part in heritage trails, minibeast studies, tree planting and other heritage activities.

A highlight of their visit will be taking part in a Plantation woodland campsite where a Native Irish Bardic poet meets a Plantation Land Agent with storytelling, music and song.

Ervey Woodland owned by Northern Ireland Environment Agency, is an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

This oak woodland has many features of interest such as the broad floodplain of the Burntollet River, small waterfalls, woodland flora and fauna such as the Red Squirrel. Burntollet Woodland is a young woodland which was planted with native trees and wildflowers with areas left for natural regeneration.

For further information on the Faughan Valley Landscape Partnership and the Faughan Valley Woodland Timemachine, please contact Annie Mullan, Community Engagement Officer. Tel: 028 7133 7498, email: [email protected] or visit www.faughanvalley.com