Image Right – Holly & Jill (NIEL) discussing peatland restoration on Black Mountain, Belfast Hills
(credit: Craig Somerville, National Trust)

One of the small-scale dams (or gully) established on Black Mountain to help restore the peatland habitat
(credit: Holly Blease)

The environmental sector is becoming increasingly important as there is more awareness of the necessity to protect habitats and mitigate climate change. This opens doors for qualified professionals to use their expertise in conservation, sustainability, renewables and other areas. However, I have found, growing up in Northern Ireland, that careers within the environmental sector still remain underrepresented and many young people have limited knowledge of the various opportunities available

As a current sixth form student at Sullivan Upper School I am currently exploring my options and have had the pleasure of taking on work experience with Jill Montgomery from Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL). During my work experience I enjoyed a visit to Divis and Black Mountain. Here I learnt about the ongoing peatland restoration work including, the establishment of dams and zippering to rewet the habitat. Additionally, I learnt about conservation grazing in the hills through the use of virtual fencing and GPS collars which is proving successful in improving biodiversity across the landscape.

My interest in the environment has been nurtured by my parents who passed down their love of hiking and running in the outdoors. I couldn’t be happier when I am camping in the Mourne Mountains and exploring the rugged landscape. Unfortunately, this appreciation for wild spaces seems to be missing in other young people. I am often shocked to see teenagers littering in green spaces and it leads me to question ‘is this a fault with environmental education?’.

Throughout my secondary education there has been a strong focus on climate change. I have learnt lots about the result of increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and how this can contribute to global warming. Likewise, at AS level, the geography course teaches pupils about the actual and potential impacts of climate change in a tundra ecosystem. Ecology is another subject that is covered in Geography and Biology, however I think that to ensure pupils fully appreciate the beauty and importance of biodiversity there should be more opportunities for them to experience wildlife outside the classroom. This would result in a generation of young people who are able to identify different plants and insects and have a passion for the outdoors.

Bog cotton, a fluffy-headed wetland plant that thrives on damp peaty ground
(credit: Holly Blease)

It must be noted that some schools are making an effort to advance pupil involvement in the environment by running eco-clubs. Sullivan has recently established a polytunnel and raised beds which pupils involved in the club have filled with soil and planted many varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs including strawberries and cress. Likewise, the pupils do litter picks around the school, doing their part to clean up the environment. I would love to see outdoor education become compulsory for all pupils, for example through visits to woodlands or farms to learn more about wildlife.

In conclusion, I think that environmental education across Northern Ireland is very good but could improve through increased application of classroom learning into the outdoors. This could be through an emphasis on sustainability such as canteens with locally sourced produce and sustainable travel schemes as well as outdoor learning.

Useful links

Northern Ireland Environment Link – https://www.nienvironmentlink.org

Education for Sustainable Development Forum – https://www.esdforum.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do