Press Release

Welcome the wild at special workshop

Wednesday 28th May

A special workshop will take place at the Ecobase at the Pennyburn Playtrail, beside Foyleview School on Saturday 31st May for those interested in finding out what they can do to make their gardens more welcoming to wildlife.

The two-hour workshop is free, will run from 02.00pm until 04.00pm and will demonstrate a number of ways to help make a difference to local wildlife regardless of the size or cost of the garden in question.

Speaking ahead of the event, Annie Mullan, Biodiversity Officer at Derry City Council said that anyone with a keen interest in gardening would enjoy the workshop and the helpful advice and demonstrations that will be on offer. She continued

“The basic message is that every garden can do something to attract wildlife and it doesn’t mean letting your garden go wild, unless you want to of course. There are lots of simple things people can do in any size of garden to make their own patch a mini-nature reserve. We would encourage everyone to embrace their local environment and play a part in protecting our natural heritage”

Experts will be on hand to advise on a variety of options that encourage a natural habitat for our local wildlife such as bee keeping or ensuring that the soil in your garden is rich with compost, which in turn encourages earthworm as well as a healthy plant life.

The workshop will also feature a range of the plants that attract birds and butterflies to a garden through their colour, scent and camouflage. Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ so people are advised to book early

This is just one of a series of events organised by Derry City Council in association with BBC Breathing Places that aims to raise awareness about the issues concerning wildlife conservation. Events are taking place throughout the summer months in advance of the Breathing Places Festival which, will take place on August 2nd in Brooke Park.

To reserve a place on the wildlife workshop contact Annie Mullan, Derry City Council telephone 028 7136 5151 or email annie.mullan@derrycity.gov.uk . For further information on biodiversity log on to www.derrycity.gov.uk/biodiversity

Ends

For further information contact Marketing and Communications, Derry City Council. Telephone 028 7137 6504

Notes to Editors

BBC Breathing Places is a five-year BBC Learning campaign to inspire people to connect with nature. Developed in partnership with a huge range of wildlife and conservation organisations, the campaign encourages new audiences to get involved in doing one thing for nature, while providing opportunities for Breathing Places to be created across the UK.

Breathing Place is a green space that’s great for wildlife and people. It could be a local woodland, roadside, park, local nature reserve or wildlife area, pond, green corridor or wildlife meadow. It has an active community of people creating, enjoying and maintaining it.

As well as environmental organisations, Breathing Places also works in partnership with other volunteer associations, city councils and education groups.

www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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