Successful County Derry coastal workshop and clean-up event

A family-friendly coastal discovery day recently took place at Magilligan Point as part of the NI Science Festival 2023. 

Hosted by Loughs Agency, the event took place last weekend (Saturday, 25th February) and was a massive success, with attendees participating in the workshop and clean-up.

The aim of the event was to provide a fun and interactive way for families to learn about the biodiversity of Northern Ireland's coasts while encouraging them to log litter and carry out a coastal clean-up.

Led by Loughs Agency's Education team, participants were taken on a coastal exploration, where they learned about marine life identification and the makeup of tidal zones. Participants gained a comprehensive insight into the flora and fauna of our coasts and the importance of preserving them for future generations.

The event was an excellent opportunity for families to learn about our coastal environment and how they can play their part to help protect it. Participants were provided with litter picks, gloves, litter bags, marine life ID sheets, and hand sanitiser, ensuring they had everything they needed to carry out the coastal clean-up safely and effectively.

Speaking after the event, Environmental Education & Outreach Officer at Loughs Agency, Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules, said: "We were delighted to see so many families participating in our coastal workshop and clean-up.

"It was great to see young people learning about the importance of keeping our coasts clean, and we hope this event will inspire future generations to take an active role in protecting our coasts.

“We would like to thank all the participants for their enthusiasm and hard work, and we would also encourage others to help ensure our coasts are kept healthy for many years to come.”

For more information on Loughs Agency and future events, please visit www.loughs-agency.org.