Manx BirdLife is set to expand its successful education programme with a grant of £4,900 from Manx Lottery Trust.
This funding will be used to purchase equipment for outdoor learning, allowing local schools and community groups to engage in species monitoring and nature conservation at the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve and beyond.
In the 2022-23 academic year, more than 1,000 children participated in various activities with the Manx BirdLife Education Programme, and this number increased to nearly 2,500 children in 2023-24.
BirdLife Education
With the Point of Ayre National Reserve now open for visits, Manx BirdLife aims to develop an outdoor education programme that encourages children and the wider community to connect with nature and become stewards of the local environment.
The grant will enable the purchase of equipment such as moth traps, bat detectors, butterfly nets, and action cameras, which will be available for schools and community groups to borrow free of charge.
This will give people of all ages the opportunity to engage in citizen science and gain hands-on experience in monitoring and conserving local wildlife.
Deeper Understanding
Anna Graham from Manx BirdLife said: “We are incredibly grateful to Manx Lottery Trust for their generous support.
“This funding will allow us to provide young people and community groups with the equipment they need to engage directly with the natural world, develop a deeper understanding of the species around us, and become active participants in conservation efforts.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for the Isle of Man community to help protect and preserve our natural heritage.”
For more information about the Community Awards Programme and how to apply, visit here.
9 Comments