Loughs Agency's Water Warriors a tremendous success with Derry students

Loughs Agency recently showcased an exciting series of engaging events for the Foyle and Carlingford Ambassador Water Warriors Programme.

The events, which included eight inspiring school writing sessions, four captivating water activities and three exhilarating marine machine tours, were a resounding success across Derry, Donegal, Omagh, Strabane and Newry.

Loughs Agency worked closely with schools to deliver an engaging creative writing session that encouraged students to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about water-related issues. These sessions sparked the imagination and critical thinking among students, enabling them to become advocates for the protection of our precious aquatic resources.

IN PICTURES: Enthusiastic Derry students embrace Loughs Agency's Water Warriors

The Water Warriors events aim to inspire and educate young minds about the importance of water conservation, environmental stewardship, and the incredible biodiversity found in local waterways.

The water activities brought the participants closer to nature, and from river clean-ups to interactive educational sessions on water quality monitoring, these activities showcased Loughs Agency's commitment to hands-on learning and community involvement. 

Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules, Environmental Education & Outreach Officer at Loughs Agency, believes it is imperative that programmes such as Water Warriors provide an opportunity for the youth of today to look after their local streams, rivers, and lakes.

She commented: “The Foyle and Carlingford Ambassador Water Warriors Programme provides students with the opportunity to explore the marine world through various events and activities.

Pupils of St Mary's College get up close with some of the sea creatures on display.

“In addition to the wonderful school writing sessions and the fun-filled water-based activities, we also had our unforgettable Marine Machine tour, which allowed our young participants to witness first-hand the Agency's cutting-edge VR technology, as well as seeing various sea creatures in our marine tank.

“The enthusiasm displayed by the attendees was truly inspiring and served as a testament to the success of the Water Warriors initiative.

“We believe in fostering a deeper understanding of the scientific work being carried out to preserve and enhance our marine ecosystems, while aiming to educate all in a fun and engaging manner.” 

The turnout for the events was overwhelming, with an unprecedented number of students and teachers actively participating in the activities, highlighting the growing awareness of the importance of water conservation and environmental responsibility.

St Columb's College students with representatives of Binenevagh Adventures

Looking ahead, Loughs Agency is excited to announce further activities are being planned for September as part of the Foyle and Carlingford Ambassador Programme. These activities will provide additional opportunities for schools and individuals to actively participate and contribute to the preservation of our aquatic ecosystems.

For more information and to express interest in participating in the upcoming Water Warriors events, please visit the Loughs Agency website at www.loughs-agency.org.