National Parks & Wildlife Service Education Programmes
The National Parks & Wildlife Service runs a series of Education Centres around the country. The Education Centres aim to raise awareness of the natural world and of conservation. Programmes are free of charge to schools, and to the general public. Each centre offers site specific programmes, but typically, they may offer Nature Awareness programmes to primary schools and ecology and geography fieldwork to secondary schools. They may also offer special events and tours for the public.
Aims of National Parks & Wildlife Service's Education Programme:
- To promote respect, understanding and care for heritage and particularly for the natural world.
- To encourage the development of environmentally friendly practices.
- To inform the public about the National Parks and Wildlife service and their role in conservation.
Ballycroy National Park Education Programme
We are now taking bookings for 2013. We are open from April to 30th October to all interested schools and groups.
The Education Programme is FREE of charge.
Primary Schools
Bog Detective Challenge
1. Viewing of the exhibition
2. Presentation on bogs/peatlands, the main habitat in Ballycroy National Park with special emphasis on the plants and animals found within this habitat.
3. A hunt to find mini-beasts using pooters
4. Examining the wild plants of the bog
5. Pond dipping to see what mini-beasts live in our pond
Secondary Schools
Bog Ecology Studies for Junior & Leaving Certificate students.
The programme we offer is designed to suit the fieldwork requirement of the Junior Certificate Science & Leaving Certificate Biology course. The study takes place within the grounds of the Visitor Centre.
Outreach/Community Groups
We offer an outreach service to all interested schools and groups. We have special programmes available and we can tailor make visits to suit requirements. This could involve talks, walks and indoor and outdoor activies. We welcome and appreciate all groups.
Projects
Staff at Ballycroy National Park Education Centre are happy to provide any assistance with information on aspects of nature conservation, the environment and Ballycroy National Park.
How to Book
Please note that our diary can fill up very quickly. So, please, if you wish to book a place, ring as early as possible.
We only take bookings by phone (098-49872/ 098 49888) and our service is free of charge.
We insist that groups bring at least one adult leader per ten children with a maximum group size of 30.
These leaders are responsible for the supervision of the group.
For the NPWS Code of Behaviour for Child Protection please click here (pdf)
Practicalities
• Minibuses and coaches can drive up to the visitor centre and park in the designated bus parking spaces.
• Visitors are advised to bring full rain gear and suitable footwear and to bring a spare pair of clothes.
How to Find Us
The Visitor Centre is located in the village of Ballycroy on the N59 road between Mulranny and Bangor Erris.