Committee Sees How RSPB Connects Young People to Nature

29 May 2014 03:39 PM

The Education Committee took part in an RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) event which aims to give children a greater connection to wildlife and nature.

The visit to the RSPB outdoor education centre was undertaken as part of a Committee meeting at the Greenmount Campus in Antrim. In addition to observing the education activities, the Committee also took evidence from Department officials on financial matters and from the British Council on EU funding opportunities for schools.

Committee Chairperson Mervyn Storey MLA said: “It was a real pleasure for the Committee to see the work that the RSPB is doing with local schools and schoolchildren to help them to connect with and appreciate the local wildlife.

“We in Northern Ireland are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful environment and it is important that our local children are encouraged to learn more about the world around them and to enjoy it.  We were delighted to watch the children from Straid Primary School get involved in the fun RSPB activities and know that it will help them to understand the natural environment and how important it is to protect and preserve it.  

“The Committee was also pleased that we were able to discuss the Department’s current financial situation and to hear from the British Council on what education funding may be available from the EU. In a time of straightened budgets, we must ensure that schools make use of any and all available funding streams.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Education Committee Membership:

Chairperson: Mervyn Storey MLA

Deputy Chairperson: Danny Kinahan MLA

Jonathan Craig MLA

Jo-Anne Dobson MLA

Chris Hazzard MLA

Trevor Lunn MLA

Maeve McLaughlin MLA

Stephen Moutray MLA

Robin Newton MLA

Sean Rogers MLA

Pat Sheehan MLA