Magilligan prisoners free wild flower seedlings for communities

Hundreds of thousands of wild flower seedlings are being planted across Northern Ireland thanks to the efforts of prisoners from HMP Magilligan.
WILD FLOWERS. . . .Pupils from St. Aidanâ¬"s PS, Magilligan pictured on Thursday â¬Üplanting wild flower seedlingsâ¬" at the school. The seedlings were supplied by Grow Wild NI and HM Prison, Magilligan, in a joint effort to provide active and meaningful work for inmates whilst also doing something positive in communities throughout Northern Ireland. Included front from left, pupils Erin Mitchelson, Cassie Deeney, Charlie McDevitt and Matthew Ferris. At back from left are Mr. Tony Glendenning, teacher, Ms. Stephanie Baine, manager, Grow Wild NI, and Ms. Lisa Wilson, Principal, St. Aidanâ¬"s PS.WILD FLOWERS. . . .Pupils from St. Aidanâ¬"s PS, Magilligan pictured on Thursday â¬Üplanting wild flower seedlingsâ¬" at the school. The seedlings were supplied by Grow Wild NI and HM Prison, Magilligan, in a joint effort to provide active and meaningful work for inmates whilst also doing something positive in communities throughout Northern Ireland. Included front from left, pupils Erin Mitchelson, Cassie Deeney, Charlie McDevitt and Matthew Ferris. At back from left are Mr. Tony Glendenning, teacher, Ms. Stephanie Baine, manager, Grow Wild NI, and Ms. Lisa Wilson, Principal, St. Aidanâ¬"s PS.
WILD FLOWERS. . . .Pupils from St. Aidanâ¬"s PS, Magilligan pictured on Thursday â¬Üplanting wild flower seedlingsâ¬" at the school. The seedlings were supplied by Grow Wild NI and HM Prison, Magilligan, in a joint effort to provide active and meaningful work for inmates whilst also doing something positive in communities throughout Northern Ireland. Included front from left, pupils Erin Mitchelson, Cassie Deeney, Charlie McDevitt and Matthew Ferris. At back from left are Mr. Tony Glendenning, teacher, Ms. Stephanie Baine, manager, Grow Wild NI, and Ms. Lisa Wilson, Principal, St. Aidanâ¬"s PS.

Community groups, schools and organisations across Northern Ireland have started planting a variety of wild flower seedlings at hundreds of locations this spring as the build-up to summer gathers pace.

The native wild flower seedlings are being provided by Grow Wild and HM Prison Magilligan in a joint effort to provide active and meaningful work for the inmates whilst also doing something positive in communities across Northern Ireland. Wild flowers will flourish in the summer creating spaces full of colour, beauty and wildlife.

Wild flower seedlings have already been planted at CAFRE’s Greenmount College, where students are introducing them to their wildlife garden, the green roofs of Creggan Country Park, Londonderry, boosting the colour in the Cornfield Project, Coleraine, PeasPark and other community gardens in Belfast and 30 primary schools across the Causeway Coast and Glens area including St Aidan’s in Magilligan.

Stéphanie Baine, Grow Wild’s Northern Ireland Partnership Manager, said: “These germinated seedlings are very popular because they provide many benefits to people, pollinators and wildlife across Northern Ireland. We find that people get together in their local community or school to plant the seedlings, encouraging them to get active outdoors. And the seedlings will provide essential nectar sources for pollinators when they flower.”

Austin Treacy, Governor of Magilligan, said: “The space and workforce at Magilligan complex is entirely suited to helping this great project. I am delighted that our work has helped so many communities and schools across the province.

More wild flower seedlings will be available in May and can be planted to inject colour into spaces along the main roads, in parks, and community areas across the region this summer. Contact [email protected] if your school or group would be interested in getting involved.