Manx BirdLife to nurture a new generation of conservationists with its Outdoor Education Programme at the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve and beyond
The Manx BirdLife Outdoor Education Programme (OEP) is set to nurture a new generation of conservationists on the Isle of Man; giving them the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to monitor and protect nature into the future. The programme will also bring people together and instil a sense of stewardship of the Island’s wildlife and habitats.
The exciting new programme will be based at the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve as well as reach out to school, community, other NGOs and wildlife interest groups across the Island. It is a natural extension of our existing education programme, which reached 2500 children with workshops and walks in the 2023-24 academic year.
Generous funding from The Gough Ritchie Foundation will enable the building of infrastructure on the Reserve to enhance the educational experiences for visiting groups and equally generous funding from the Manx Lottery Trust has already enabled the purchase of equipment to monitor birds and mammals on the Reserve and beyond, such as birds, bats and invertebrates, such as dragonflies and moths.
Species declines
Species declines are being seen across many taxa. Birds, such as the Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting, have already gone extinct on the Isle of Man. Monitoring is essential to identify these declines, providing valuable information to hopefully slow down or even reverse them. Monitoring can provide early warning signs of environmental change, and solutions can be found in time to help. Gathering good, long-term data about the Island’s biodiversity is key to protecting it into the future.
Interested groups will be invited to work with Manx BirdLife on specific species monitoring projects and events; bringing people with different areas of expertise together to ensure maximum benefit for the Island’s biodiversity. Individuals, school and community groups are also invited to borrow the equipment for use in their own projects, and to share their findings with conservationists.
Workshops & activities
Outdoor workshops and activities will also be developed for children to increase their knowledge and understanding of the natural environment; to learn in a real-world context; to help build transferable skills; and to enjoy being in nature!
Manx BirdLife hopes people of all ages will take away new experiences and skills from the OEP, that it will plant seeds for careers in nature conservation, and that the curiosity and joy that nature elicits will benefit people’s mental health too.
Manx BirdLife works to conserve birds and other wildlife on the Isle of Man and wants the OEP to not only showcase this incredible wildlife to many more people but to inspire people to share in and play an active role in its conservation.
