St Kevin’s receives £ 11,000 to start pollinator garden program in rural community

ST KEVIN’S College, Lisnaskea has received £ 11,000 as part of a brand new rural community pollinator grant program.

The initiative, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and managed by the civic pride campaign “Live Here Love Here” is designed to empower community groups and schools in the areas Northern rural areas to receive funding between £ 3,000 to £ 12,000 to establish, improve or develop a local community garden for pollinators.

The pilot program, which has made £ 1.5million available for 2021/22, aims to cover 95% of the costs of community groups and schools wishing to embark on the community environmental project.

Successful applicants were to illustrate their plans to maximize pollinator-friendly land management techniques in order to increase the biodiversity value of an area by planting for pollinators and transform unused spaces into valued community spaces, adding habitats and by revegetating formerly gray areas. .

Local community group spokesperson and school principal Gary Kelly said, “We plan to use the money to create a series of wildlife gardens / meadows, rooftop gardens and programs. education on biodiversity / pollinators with the help of primary schools.

“We hope this grant will enable St Kevin’s College and a selection of local elementary schools to transform local spaces into wildlife gardens and areas that will foster biodiversity and natural pollinator habitat.

“We also hope that by creating a biodiversity education plan, we will ensure that this good work is sustainable in the long term. It is recognized that global warming and the loss of natural habitat in our environment are at a critical point and it is hoped that by launching this project we can help reverse the impact of global change and habitat change in our region.

“Our plans for the future are that through the creation of these wildlife garden education programs, they will last a long time and help change the habits of many in our community, the Live Here Love Here team was helpful in achieving this goal. “

Posted: 1:51 p.m. December 4, 2021