The local community of Downpatrick have been educated and informed about environmental protection thanks to an Eco Fun Day.

The event was organised by Down High School pupils who won Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Women's Working Group 'Dragon's Den' Competition held during Local Democracy Week 2021. The competition involved six schools from across the district debating on the theme of 'Protecting the environment, local communities take action', and as part of their winning debate, Down High School pupils put forward their ideas on organising an Eco-Fun Day for the local community to continue to create awareness to Climate Change.

The aim of the Eco Fun Day was to educate the local community in a fun and interactive way, about the importance of Climate Change and the need to continue to take immediate and more ambitious action to address climate risks.

The day was supported by a number of local businesses who provided information and useful tips and techniques to the community on how to live more sustainably to protect our planet from man-made damage. Phoenix Gas, True Harvest Seeds, Regen Waste, Nappy Library NI, Meadow Farm, Farming Carbon, Ballycruttle Farm and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful were all in attendance to support Down High School's Eco Fun Day.

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True Harvest seeds provided Wild Flower seeds and helped people to plant out seed trays with them, which they were then able to take home. Phoenix Gas have an environmental partnership with the Conservation Volunteers Charity, who kindly donated 50 trees to give away at the event. The Conservation Volunteers Charity are planting 8,000 native trees in communities and wooded areas across Northern Ireland.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said: "I would like to thank Down High School for organising this Eco Fun Day event. It was great to see such a wide variety of stall holders supporting the day, highlighting the positive actions and changes that we can make locally to help protect the future of the planet and raise awareness to the climate crisis.

"I would also like to thank all the businesses that attended, St. Patrick's Grammar School for providing the music throughout the day and Phoenix Gas who sponsored the refreshments."

Down High School Eco Committee Co-Ordinator and Teacher, Rachel Wilson added: "This was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to both promote their Climate Change cause within the local community. It was really encouraging to note the level of positive activity already occurring, inching us closer to attaining Net Zero by 2050. A huge thank you to all the participants and the Council staff, who helped us to facilitate the event."