Pupils design prize garden

The Team Challenge Entry, entitled 'A Recipe for Wildlife Success' showed how easy it is to make a difference for wildlife in your garden.

Pupils from Londonderry Model Primary School and St Eugene's visited Brooke Park with the Wildlife Education Officer, Annie Mullan, to learn about wildlife and gain inspiration for making their pieces. They then worked with artist, Sheila Byrne, to create a banquet of wildlife art for the garden.

Annie Mullan said: "In our plot we cooked up a few ideas to make a difference, even to a small plot.

"A haven for wildlife can be created in any garden and into our mix we have placed a pond, insect hotels, habitat boxes, bird feeders and bird bath, log piles and most importantly a buffet of nectar rich plants for bees, butterflies and other insects.

"Recipe cards were also on display so visitors who wish to recreate any of these elements can view the ingredients they will need and methods to use.

"In true cookery style we have also on display 'Here's one I have prepared earlier' with wildlife art created by school pupils from St Mary's Altinure, Londonderry Model Primary School, and St Eugene's Primary School, Derry.

"The wildlife art gives visitors an insight into the type of beautiful wildlife that their work could attract to their gardens."

Mayor, Colum Eastwood, said: "This is a wonderful project that's both fun and educational.

"A lot of work has clearly gone into creating the 'Recipe for Wildlife Success' garden and that is reflected in the Highly Commended Award it received at Garden Show Ireland."

On Friday 11th June at 10.00am pupils from the schools involved and partners joined the Mayor to view their art in the garden which is now in place in the grounds of Gransha hospital.

This project contributes towards 'Pride in Our City' and the Wildlife & Wellbeing campaigns with funding from Department of Social Development.