Education

The study of the environment has always been included in the Northern Ireland curriculum but it is now a significant and compulsory component of many subjects. At primary school children have an opportunity to study local habitats, including peatlands, as part of the curriculum. The GCSE syllabus for Biology involves the in-depth study of local habitats while the GCSE Geography syllabus specifically requires the study of the peatland ecosystem and how it is affected by human activities. Other secondary level subjects, and also tertiary courses provide opportunities for pupils to increase their knowledge of peatlands.

Schools, teachers and educators play a vital role by helping pupils increase their knowledge and fostering positive attitudes towards the environment. The primary aims of peatland education programmes are to provide pupils with a basic knowledge of the habitat and to raise awareness of how they as individuals interact, and impact on peatlands. Having this information will enable them, in later years, to make informed choices and decisions that could affect peatlands.

In Northern Ireland the provision of peatland education programmes at various sites has enabled pupils to discover and experience first-hand the plants and animals of the peatland habitat. We have been at the forefront of peatland education and awareness with the creation of Peatlands Country Park in County Armagh.

Sites in Northern Ireland providing peatland education programmes:

• Creggan Visitor Centre, County Tyrone
• Ulster Wildlife Trust, County Down
• Field Studies Centre, Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh
• Cuilcagh Mountain Park, County Fermanagh

Several campaigns run by community and conservation bodies have also contributed to public education and awareness of our peatlands.

Here are some of the many book titles available on peatlands providing general, curricular, archaeological and scientific information about peatlands.