Sixth Form Environmental Conference

A very important environmental event took place in September, the third annual conference on Environmental Change, for senior students of three Mourne schools : St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, Shimna Integrated College Newcastle and Kilkeel High School. Each year global issues are studied through local examples, and discussion groups look at our responsibilities as individuals.

The conference is organized by Newcastle 2000 Community Association, Northern Ireland Environment Link and Mourne Heritage Trust. The event was held in Newcastle Centre by kind permission of Down District Council.

The topics convered this year were Climate Change and Coastal Erosion; Energy from the sea – the turbine in the Strangford Narrows; Green building technology- the example of the proposed Gateway Centre in Newcastle; energy from the biomass- an opportunity for our farmers; the world food crisis and how we could respond.

Environmental studies are an important part of the curriculum in all three schools. Led by the Geography Teachers, students of these schools are beginning an annual monitoring of change in our coastal areas, to link with the on-going research of Professor Orford .

Squirrel Out of Sync

Half term gave me time to think about everything that went unblogged. A bad omission was the first sighting of a red squirrel since our feeding boxes went up. Georgia handed in the first report about two weeks ago. Those boxes actually seem worthwhile now. Last week's Observer magazine had an entire feature on red squirrels, and some rather more violent ways of keeping down the numbers among the greys. Other good news is that some red squirrels seem to be developing immunity to the dreaded squirrel pox spread by the greys. Keep an eye out for more red squirrel sightings, and pick up a report sheet outside the technology room. Be as exact as you can about where you have seen the squirrel.

Thunderboxes

We think we have finally found a solution to the toilet problem that prevents us making full use of the Haughian House. Thunderboxes is a company that makes ecofriendly loos which don't need to be on the water main. I am in the middle of trying to find some grant money to fund one.

EAGA Visit

We had a visit from EAGA this week, that's the organisation which granted us the money for the outdoor recycling bins. Now we know the next stage - we have been given a noticeboard to fill up with images of our Eco project. In November, we will be asked to bring our noticeboard to the awards ceremony in Belfast, where we will meet the eight other organisations which received a grant. Onwards and upwards - there is still a huge amount of awareness raising to do if we are to get the outdoor recycling operating successfully.

Slow but Steady Progress

We are indeed making slow but steady progress at the outdoor recycling. First week back, we were useless - mixed rubbish in both blue and black bins. However, after a bit of consciousness raising and kicking ourselves, the second week has produced a huge improvement. Keep kicking, and telling yourself - blue bin, bottles and cans. Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans

Squirrel Boxes Progress

Gerry Magowan in technology, and Jean Forbes, governor, have been working hard on our red squirrel feeders and two are nearing completion. We will be looking for volunteers to keep them stocked with food, and the boxes clean and free from squirrel pox. Throughout our project, we have been supported by George Hanna, retired forester, who has been an invaluable source of local information on red squirrels, and the successful project already underway in Tollymore Forest.

Gardening Next

We have just received our Level one gardening certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. We have long standing plans for our grounds and plenty of work has been competed over the years, for example the tree planing which gives us the grove beside the bendy fence. The next step will be the creation of our food garden, and you can watch this space to see how we get on.