A club on the shores of Lough Neagh has been awarded a grant of £7,600 to create a community pollinator garden through the planting of wildflowers and trees.
Bayshore Sports and Social Club at Derryadd said it was delighted to receive the funding, which is part of a three-year development plan for the Co Armagh club.
Club chairman Leonard McAlinden said the money would help create a wildlife sanctuary through planting new habitats, wildflowers, trees and improved access for all at its centre.
The garden will be developed with the support of community volunteers.
Leonard said the club also plans to organise programmes to raise awareness and interest in nature and to work with local schools in educating children about food, wildlife and plants.
“The Pollinator Garden is part of an ambitious new three-year development plan for the club,” he said. “I would like to thank the Live Here Love Here team for their support and we are looking forward to rolling out other initiatives for the local community.”
The money was awarded under the Rural Community Pollinator Grants Scheme which is financed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and managed by the civic-pride campaign Live Here Live Here.
It is designed to allow community groups and schools to benefit from funding to develop a local community pollinator garden.
Helen Tomb, Live Here Love Here manager, said: “We are thrilled to support 185 projects through the Rural Community Pollinator Grants Scheme.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for communities to avail of resources to make their immediate environments as friendly as possible to our life-supporting pollinator species.
“We want to thank all the incredible volunteers who lend us their free time and hard work to help keep Northern Ireland beautiful. We always welcome and appreciate the support of those who believe in the Live Here Love Here message.”
