Last updated: October 2021
A new wildflower meadow has been created at a new estate on the outskirts of Belfast. The Mount Eagles Drive Action Group held a wildflower planting event with two local Colin primary schools, namely, Christ the Redeemer and Our Lady Queen of Peace to provide a unique opportunity for children to learn about nature, and, in particular, how wildflowers are an essential part of our landscape, enhancing the biodiversity of our native insect, plant and animal species. (ref1) Pupils from Christ the Redeemer and Our Lady Queen of Peace schools spent a morning planting a wide variety of wildflower plugs and seeds in the Mount Eagles wildflower meadow, under the expert supervision of highly trained horticulturalists. (Ref 3)
Mount Eagles Wildflower Meadow (2015)
Photographer: Jim Corr (Alpha Fund administered by Groundwork Northern Ireland), retrieved 08/15/2018 from Gerard Daye & Orla McCabe (Mount Eagles Drive Action Group)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Green corridors and green belts
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Social interaction
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
1. To create a green oasis (wildflower meadow created in Mount Eagles) and a wildlife corridor that can be used by the community (ref 1)
2. To promote the sites biodiversity and recreational importance. (ref1)
3. An opportunity for children to learn about nature (ref 1)
4. Building a swift tower within the site (ref 1)
5. Elderly and disabled members of the community would be advantaged by active participation in the project (ref 2)
Implementation activities
A new wildflower meadow has been created in Mount Eagles with a wildflower planting event held with two local Colin primary schools (ref 1)
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Marginalized groups: Elderly people, People with functional diversities
- Young people and children
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Private foundation/trust
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Mount Eagles Drive Action Group held a wildflower planting event with two local Colin primary schools - Christ the Redeemer and Our Lady Queen of Peace. Alpha programme and the Landfill Tax Credits from the Mullaghglass landfill site have given for funding this proposal. (ref 1) The site is located beside Mount Eagles play area and is owned by Lisburn City Council is part of Lagmore Glen (ref 2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
(The wildflower meadow project is also contributing to the "All Ireland Pollinator Plan" a national initiative to protect pollinators and the Bee-licious project.)
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
Source(s) of funding
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
- Tax exemption
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
- Increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
- Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved social cohesion
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
Ref. 1. Groundwork Northern Ireland. (2015). Alpha funded Wildflower Planting. [Website unavailable in 2020]
Ref 2. Belfast hills Partnership. (Source link meadows to bloom at Lagmore Glen. Source: Source link [ Accessed on 23 September 2020]
Ref 3. The Irish News (2015) Green news: Wildflower scheme adds splash of colour. Source: Source link [Accessed 23 September 2020]
Ref 2. Belfast hills Partnership. (Source link meadows to bloom at Lagmore Glen. Source: Source link [ Accessed on 23 September 2020]
Ref 3. The Irish News (2015) Green news: Wildflower scheme adds splash of colour. Source: Source link [Accessed 23 September 2020]
Mount Eagles Wildflower Meadow (2015)
Photographer: Jim Corr (Alpha Fund administered by Groundwork Northern Ireland), retrieved 08/15/2018 from Gerard Daye & Orla McCabe (Mount Eagles Drive Action Group)
Mount Eagles Wildflower Meadow (2015)
Photographer: Jim Corr (Alpha Fund administered by Groundwork Northern Ireland), retrieved 08/15/2018 from Gerard Daye & Orla McCabe (Mount Eagles Drive Action Group)