Council Chair recognises local students involved in ‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ Project
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton, this week visited children in St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown to recognise their efforts in the recent ‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ Project.
Developed by the Sperrins Partnership, ‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ was delivered to four local primary schools throughout the Council areas that make up the Sperrins region. Over 100 children participated in the project which aimed to promote the unique natural, built and cultural heritage of Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Primary 5 pupils from St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown represented the Mid Ulster District Council area.
The project included class visits to a variety of sites across the Sperrins including the recently completed Giant Sculpture Trail, Gortin Glen Forest Park and OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, followed by the creation of their own class book. Crucially, it provided an opportunity for the children to express what the area means to them and how it should be protected for future generations.
Congratulating the children on their success Chair, Councillor Frances Burton said:
I am incredibly proud of the young people from St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown who took part in the 'Guardians of the Sperrins’ Project. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to protecting our natural heritage are truly inspiring. The Sperrins are a treasured part of our landscape and identity, and it’s heartening to see the next generation stepping up as stewards of this beautiful region. I want to congratulate all the students, teachers, and organisers involved for making this project such a success. Your efforts are helping to ensure that the Sperrins will be cherished and protected for years to come.
Sperrin AONB Officer Dearbháile Hutchinson also thanked all those involved adding: “We have been truly inspired by the level of engagement from the children, who have demonstrated considerable awareness and appreciation of our special landscapes, and the need to protect them. A huge thank you to the teachers, pupils and everyone else involved."
‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ forms part of a wider community engagement exercise aimed at informing development of the first ever Management Plan for Sperrin AONB.
Highlighting the importance of youth engagement to this process Chair of the Sperrins Partnership, Councillor Sean Clarke added, “As future guardians of this landscape, young people’s views are critical in the development of the Sperrin AONB Management Plan. This project provided an opportunity to ensure these views were heard. We will continue to work with young people, so their voice is represented both at a development and delivery stage of the plan.”
This project has been funded by NIEA through the Carrier Bag Levy. If you would like to find out more about the project or the Sperrins Partnership, please visit: https://sperrinspartnershipproject.com.