World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2nd February to raise awareness about the value of wetlands. The theme for 2016, under the banner “Wetlands for our Future” is: Sustainable Livelihoods and is selected to demonstrate the vital role of wetlands for the current and future wellbeing of humanity and to promote the wise use of all sorts of wetlands.
Councillor Thomas Hogg, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, supported a ‘clean up’ event at Canal Walk in Toomebidge, on the shoreline of Lough Neagh. Councillor Hogg said, “It was wonderful to see the primary school pupils take care of their local green space beside Lough Neagh.”
Chairman of TIDAL, Councillor Brian Duffin, said, “TIDAL are very pleased that St Oliver Plunkett Primary took the initiative and time to care for their local community owned green space.”
Councillor Duffin, continued, “The local community have a strong connection and knowledge of the Lough Neagh wetlands and appreciate the damage that litter can do to the environment. Good practice like this clean-up is to be encouraged at all times.”
Mrs Loughlin, a Teacher at St Oliver Plunkett Primary, said, “The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the morning in Canal Walk, they were very enthusiastic to participate in the ‘clean up’ in the Lough Neagh wetlands.”
Mrs Loughlin, continued, “We hope to carry out a ‘clean up’ again. We also enjoyed looking for water birds along the Lough Neagh shoreline.”
