Project Updates
The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership hosted an Education Forum on Tuesday 30th November 2021 for partner.
This forum was aimed at those organisations and individual groups who have responsibility and involvement in the delivery of natural heritage education in the region. The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, supported through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and DAERA Challenge Fund, are currently delivering the Lough Erne Education Programme. This programme focuses on a number of education projects being delivered by LELP and our partners and aims to bring organisations and education providers to further natural heritage education in the region.
One of the projects within this programme will deliver a citizen science education programme. The aim of the citizen science education programme is to provide teachers and educators with an online repository of resources, lesson plans and activities to teach students about the landscapes of County Fermanagh and its associated biodiversity and environments. It will also provide opportunities to complete citizen science and data recording activities.
Through this Forum LELP aim to develop an Education Network, which will bring people and natural heritage organisations together to shape and coordinate the education project.
Visit Project 15: Young Amateur Naturalists for more information.
During five days in late September and early October 2021 the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership hosted the second ever Lough Erne Schools Convention at the Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea.
Previously held in 2019, the Lough Erne Schools Convention was a one-day event, however this year, due to Covid19 restrictions, groups of enthusiastic Key Stage 2 pupils from local primary schools have been welcomed over a series of five days. Each day, pupils from P5 to P7 got to experience Upper Lough Erne from their canoes with the Share Discovery Village and learn about its inhabitants and environments. The following workshops were delivered as part of the convention:
- Volcanoes and Earthquakes with Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (delivered by successful participants from Project 10: Heritage Champions.)
- Pond dipping and what lives in the lake with Waterways Ireland
- Seeds to trees and their lifecycles with RSPB NI
- Mini beasts and bugs with Buglife
- Bulb planting and biodiversity with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Biodiversity Team
In total thirteen different schools attended bringing over 500 pupils to the Convention, and despite a couple of rain showers all teachers, pupils and providers enjoyed the activities provided. This project has received part funding from the DAERA Challenge Fund.
For more information visit Project 3b: Lough Erne Schools Convention
The Board Development day was an opportunity for board members and partners to reconnect after the Coronavirus Pandemic to discuss the successes and future of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership.
Attendees also had the opportunity to speak to a number of LELP projects face to face including RSPB, Inniskillng’s Museum, Erne Water Taxi and Bronze Age Sword in Enniskillen Castle. This event was delivered outside and adhered to social distancing.
On Wednesday 16th June the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership delivered an online Education Forum.
The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, supported through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund are currently developing a citizen science education programme which will be delivered in schools this Autumn, starting in September 2021.
The citizen science programme will provide teachers with an online repository of resources, lesson plans, activities etc. to help teach students about the landscapes of County Fermanagh and its associated biodiversity and environments. It is envisaged that through this programme schools will have the opportunity to avail of resources and equipment to carry out the planned data collection activities.
Visit Project 15: Young Amateur Naturalists for more information.
LELP has recently undertaken a mid-term review to monitor progress on project delivery and hosted a virtual seminar on 13 May to share the achievements to date and the future plans. This provided a fantastic opportunity for those within the region to learn more about the work of LELP and their partners. Below you can access the recording of the event.
LELP supported through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Marble Arch Cave UNESCO Global Geopark is excited to have begun working with NI Forest School Association and the first ten schools in the District to take part in the Forest School Awards Programme.
Speaking in Arleston Park about the programme with some pupils from Omagh County Primary School, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong said;
“This is a wonderful initiative, and I am so excited to meet some of the children who will take part in the first Forest School workshops we are funding in Fermanagh and Omagh. As well as learning in their school gardens, we have right across the district, a number of parks and open spaces which are ideal for students to take learning out of the classroom and into the great outdoors”.
The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership Programme Manager, Elmarie Swanepoel, stated;
“We are delighted to be able to support the Forest Schools Programme. This programme will enable pupils to gain a clear understanding and appreciation of the unique landscape and natural heritage we have available in the Lough Erne region”.
Commenting on the programme, Martina O’Neill, Development Officer, Marble Arch UNESCO Global Geopark said;
“The landscapes and places within our UNESCO Global Geopark are the perfect ‘outdoor classroom’. We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with our colleagues in the Council’s Biodiversity team and Lough Erne Landscape Partnership on this Forest Schools initiative”.
The programme was opened for applicants in Autumn 2020 and the first 20 successful schools were selected through a competitive process. FODC, MACUGG and LELP aim to continue the scheme into 2022, funding dependant, by supporting more schools and education settings through the programme.
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The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership working in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Marble Arch Cave UNESCO Global Geopark is delighted to announce an amazing opportunity to become a Forest School this year.
The Forest School Awards Programme, delivered by the Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association, is aimed at promoting sustainable outdoor education programmes to inspire innovative teaching methods, encourage curiosity and exploration whilst instilling a sense of community and civic pride within young people.
Speaking about the programme, the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris Smyth said;
“This is a wonderful initiative, and I would encourage school to register for this innovative programme. We have, right across the district, a number of parks and open spaces which are ideal for students to take learning out of the classroom and into the great outdoors. We are really fortunate to have such excellent natural resources for children to enjoy and learn in for free.”
The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership programme manager, Elmarie Swanepoel, stated;
“We are delighted to be able to support the Forest Schools Programme. This programme will enable pupils to gain a clear understanding and appreciation of the unique landscape and natural heritage we have available in the Lough Erne region. We encourage schools to become involved in this magnificent programme and look forward to realising the benefits of outdoor education.”
Commenting on the programme, Martina O’Neill, Acting Manager, Marble Arch UNESCO Global Geopark said;
“The landscapes and places within our UNESCO Global Geopark are the perfect ‘outdoor classrooms’ – rich in both habitats and species and on closer inspection tell fascinating stories of a geological history spanning nearly 900 million years and human endeavours spanning almost 10,000 years. We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with our colleagues in the Council’s Biodiversity team and Lough Erne Landscape Partnership on this Forest Schools initiative and would encourage schools in the area to avail of this fantastic and unique opportunity’.
The Forest School Development Package that will be FREE to each of 10 participating schools (eligible groups are pre-school, primary and secondary that are affiliated with Education Authority/Department for Education) aims to support schools to:
- Identify a local Council Park, Geopark site or public space (permission required) that is accessible to the school of an appropriate place within school grounds;
- Develop this area as an outdoor classroom;
- Train a member of staff or volunteer in Forest School Leadership and become confident and competent to deliver outdoor sessions on a regular basis;
- Inspire children to explore their local environment and by doing so, teach them to respect their local natural environment.
10 selected schools will receive:-
- A six-session programme (one session per week) as agreed between the school and NIFSA. This will provide training and assessment to enable the selected teacher to qualify as a Forest School Leader Level 3
- A Forest School Starter Kit Bag including Learning Resources
- NIFSA Nature Ranger Certificates for participating pupils
- On successful completion of the-six session programme and the submission of a learning portfolio, the teacher will receive a Level 3 Forest School Certificate.
To have a chance in taking part in this exciting programme, schools are requested to complete the online application form (click here) by 6th November 2020. The programme can accommodate 10 schools per year, so even if you are not selected this season, more spaces will be available in due course. Please be assured that the programme is flexible and NI Forest School Association will organise any visits with schools to suit ongoing COVID restrictions.
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LELP Network event, ‘Stories of our Lough’ was held on the 10th December 2019 in Waterways Ireland HQ. With a great turn out off around 60 people. We got the pleasure of hearing from 7 people on different aspects of the history of the Lough. From the History of the Waterways, to life after WW1. It really was an extraordinary event with alot to be learned from each and everyone of the speakers.
We are delighted to have held LELP’s first Education Forum as part of The Young Amatuer Naturalist Programme, bringing together different organisations who are delivering citizen science in The Lough Erne Region. We had a great morning discussing the importance of delivering natural science in the local area.
Visit Project 15: Young Amateur Naturalists for more information.
356 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 Lough Erne Schools Convention will be held annually for the next four years.
For more information visit Project 3b: Lough Erne Schools Convention
The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership will be hosting the second meeting of the LELP Network on
Wednesday 10 April 2019 at 10:00 – 13:00
At Waterways Ireland, 2 Sligo Road, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
This event will enable local organisations to present details of their organisation and also current and future projects within the Lough Erne region.
If you would like to attend the LELP Network please contact Heather Gott email heather.gott@rspb.org.uk
Following the recent launch of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) we have been busy working on the delivery of the Heritage Lottery Funded scheme. As part of the £2.6million scheme LELP hosted the launch of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership Network.
The LELP Network will bring together organisations, currently working within the Lough Erne region to protect and enhance the natural, built and cultural heritage of the area.
LELP Programme Manager, Elmarie Swanepoel explained:
“Whilst working on our scheme we have discovered that there are a lot of wonderful projects and events taking place throughout the region. It became apparent that there was no platform for organisations to come together and share their ideas or to work collaboratively to deliver projects. Taking onboard the feedback, we received and realising the need for a more collaborative form of working we have formed the LELP Network. The network brings together organisations throughout the region to share knowledge of current projects and those that they are planning for the future”
The meeting was well attended with representatives from all sectors including tourism, community groups, council departments, charities, environmental groups, government bodies and local heritage groups to name just a few.
Elmarie continued;
“The attendance here today has been magnificent and it clearly indicates that there is indeed a need for the LELP network and a desire by these organisations to work together. By working together to deliver projects and to share ideas we will be able to have a greater impact on the region not just for organisations but also for those that live in the Fermanagh area. Today has shown everyone that there is a lot of innovative activity taking place and lots of future projects possibilities in the area. It is clear there is a real pride in the Fermanagh region and a passion to ensure that we can protect and enhance all that makes this area so unique.”
The next meeting of the LELP Network will provide organisations and community groups with the opportunity to showcase their organisation and the work that they are carrying out.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) recently awarded the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) a National Lottery grant of £2.6 million through its Landscape Partnership programme. The partnership supported by six partner organisations will deliver twenty-three projects with the aim to restore, enhance and conserve the heritage and landscape of Lough Erne.
The official launch of the Partnership took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Enniskillen Castle Museum. Opening the celebratory event Joanne Sherwood, (Director, RSPB NI – lead partner) stated:
“Lough Erne has a wealth of natural, built and cultural heritage throughout this magnificent landscape. We are delighted to be working with the support of the National Lottery and in collaboration with our partners, in the delivery of these fantastic projects. Each of these projects will leave a lasting legacy on communities and landscape of the region”.
The event was very well attended with guests enjoying a key note address from Journalist and broadcaster Joe Mahon, well known for the highly successful Lesser Spotted Ulster series and most recently Lough Neagh series on UTV.
The key funder Heritage Lottery Fund, was represented by NI Committee member Mr Jim McGreevy who highlighted how vital the landscape partnership is to reconnecting people with their past and ensuring a sustainable future for the environment. A representative from HLF stated;
“We have invested over £49 million of National Lottery player’s money into landscape and nature projects across NI which are helping people to get involved with, learn about and care for places, from the Glens of Antrim to the Ring of Gullion. We are delighted that Lough Erne will now benefit from the same support and we’re excited to see what they will achieve. Across the UK people are increasingly realising that nature is in trouble and it’s time to take a more proactive approach. Schemes like these provide a creative local solution to help people reconnect with their landscapes and the environment and to implement solutions to tackle issues. We wish the partnership every success as they embark on this ambitious scheme.”
Those attending had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the projects, including The Inniskilling Museum who also launched their Access Inniskillings project on the day. This project will identify more than 10,000 fragile and irreplaceable pre-1900 paper, print and photographic archives within the museum collection and convert them into digital format.
Project partners The Mummers Foundation entertained guests with a cultural performance of one of Fermanagh’s oldest traditions.
The partnership will deliver the scheme over 5 years with the overall aim to improve access to the lough, protect habitats and species, conserve and enhance the built, natural and cultural heritage of the region and engage communities in 500km2 of landscape.
Throughout the scheme there will be a full calendar of events for people to enjoy and get involved with. This will include, family activity days, community archaeology events, habitat preservation, recreational activities to name a few, as well as many opportunities to volunteer and learn new skills.
This outstanding scheme could not be delivered without the support of National Lottery players and project partners.
