Biodiversity Education
An Creagan Biodiversity Education Service The Biodiversity Education Service is available to schools, community groups and the general public. All programmes are designed and led by qualified teachers. We are always happy to discuss your individual requirements and teachers are welcome to arrange a site visit before booking.
The service was established to promote awareness of our native habitats and the associated plants and animals. An Creagan centre is an invaluable resource in the study of bogland ecosystems and the impact that human activity has on them. The network of paths and interpretive panels allows safe access to the sites of study.
The environmental education programmes at An Creagan take advantage of the natural resources available. The emphasis is on active involvement by pupils in order to develop concrete observational skills and their understanding and enjoyment of the environment. Primary programmes have direct links to all four strands of ‘The World Around Us’ but include components from all Areas of Learning. Secondary programmes are linked to the revised curriculum and CCEA specifications for Geography and Science.
All of the equipment used during your visit is supplied by the centre. All we ask pupils to bring is a packed lunch and to come equipped for bad weather and boggy paths.
About the Education Programmes
All programmes are designed and led by qualified teachers.
For bookings contact Peter on 028 8076 1112
Key Stage 1&2 – The World Around Us – Bog Life
This is a hands on programme which focuses on the importance of the peatland habitat and the similarities and differences between the plants and animals that live there. Pupils will be given an insight into the history and culture associated with peat bogs and a chance to see how turf was cut. Programmes are differentiated to suit the age and ability of your class.
Key Stage 3 – Peatland Ecosystem
An opportunity to learn about the bog habitat and the special plants and animals that live there. They will use practical fieldwork techniques to carry out a comparative study of two Peatland Sites, to show how peatland biodiversity has been affected by drainage, development and turf extraction.
AS Level Biology – Measuring Biodiversity with Simpson’s Index
A practical programme where students are given the opportunity to learn about the peatland ecosystem and the specialist plants that live there. They use random sampling techniques to measure species diversity on Creggan Bog using Simpson’s Index. They will also carry out a belt transect across a relic turf bank.
About An Creagán
Creggan Bog at around 9Ha (22 acres) is a small, undisturbed remnant of a once much larger area of lowland raised bog, over 7,000 years in the making. It hosts a unique colony of plants including heathers, cranberry, crowberry, sphagnum mosses, lichen and several species of insect-eating plants. In Summer the air is alive with dragonflies and damselflies, bees and butterflies.
Only about 8% of Northern Ireland’s Raised Bogs remain, with the rest having been drained and exploited throughout the last century. It is important now to take stock of this resource and preserve what is left. Creggan Bog is an oasis for the animals which rely on this habitat for survival, from lizards to hen harriers.
Much of the original expanse of bog area here has been planted with spruce and pine trees for commercial timber production and part of it has been quarried for its glacial, gravel deposits (eskers). Some areas on the margin have also been subject to the hand cutting of turf.
Cashel Wood conifer plantations are host to a variety of birds. Look out for snipe and woodcock flitting along the woodland rides. The distinctive call of the cuckoo is often the first sign that spring has arrived. These forests also provide a home for badgers, stoats, foxes, pigmy shrews, squirrel and deer.
We are always interested to hear of any unusual wildlife sightings around the site.
Outline Map of An Creagan Site
