Craigavon Borough Council offers a full environmental education programme as part of our Heritage and Conservation Department. Our education programme caters for students from primary to university level per year, and covers issues relating to the environment of Craigavon, Lough Neagh and Oxford Island.
All activities are facilitated by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic interpretive team based at Oxford Island National Nature Reserve with the aim of raising awareness and enjoyment of the local countryside and wildlife. Our activities include:
- A full range of activities at any of Craigavon's Parks or Tannaghmore Gardens Animal Farm. This includes an Eco Trail at Lurgan Park
- Group visits for walks, talks and other activities by prior arrangements.
- Double or split visits to Craigavon Museum based on site at Oxford Island or at Tannaghmore Gardens Barn Museum.
Our emphasis is on seasonality, looking at the characteristics of the various habitats at specific times of the year. Many topics can be studied throughout the year; however, others are best suited to particular seasons, when particular plants and animals can be seen.
For an off-season alternative we offer an outreach programme with school visits on topics including woodland habitats and pollution and recycling. Outreach visits are developed with an in-season follow up visit to one of our sites.
Key Stages:
Key Stage 1&2: Fresh water life, fresh water invertebrates, woodlands, minibeasts, birds and nature games.
Key Stage 3&4:Lough Neagh eco systems, habitats of Lough Neagh and Oxford Island, sampling techniques e.g. vegetation surveys, birds and map reading.
Non school groups: As above plus scavenger hunt, nature games, crafts and boat trips
