Biodiversity project
Schools' Woodland and Wetland Education Project
During the past academic term, Killough Community Group organised and delivered a series of woodland and wetland education days involving ten local schools across County Tipperary. The project formed part of a wider initiative to connect young people with the natural heritage of Killough Hill Woods and the Cabragh Wetlands Nature Reserve, fostering awareness, curiosity, and care for local ecosystems.
Project Overview
The programme was designed to give pupils an immersive experience in nature, combining classroom learning with outdoor exploration. In preparation for fieldwork, students attended in-school sessions that introduced them to the distinctive habitats and species found within Killough Hill and Cabragh Wetlands. These sessions covered topics such as woodland ecology, native flora and fauna, the importance of biodiversity, and the role of wetlands in water purification and climate resilience. Local historian and ecologist Jimmy Duggan presented on every day of the visits, engaging students in the history of their place and the plants in it.
Pupils then participated in field visits to Cabragh wetlands. Activities included guided walks, species identification exercises, scavenger hunts, simple ecological surveys, and discussions on conservation challenges. Teachers reported that students responded enthusiastically to the hands-on learning, particularly the opportunity to make real-world observations outside the classroom. They returned full of stories and facts about their days.
About Killough Hill Woodlands, proposed NHA
Killough Hill Woods, located near Thurles in County Tipperary, comprises a mix of semi-natural woodland and more recent plantations. Historically part of the Killough Castle estate, the woodlands have evolved through phases of managed planting and natural regeneration since the early 19th century. Today, the site supports a rich mosaic of habitats — from beech and sycamore-dominated areas on deeper soils to ash–hazel woodland on limestone slopes.
The flora includes bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scriptus), wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), primrose (Primula vulgaris), and woodruff (Galium odoratum). The variety of trees and understorey plants supports an equally diverse fauna, including songbirds such as blackcap, treecreeper, and long-tailed tit, as well as small mammals and bats associated with mature woodland.
For visiting students, Killough Hill will provide a living classroom to explore woodland ecology, tree identification, and the interconnectedness of species within a forest environment, the tree-wide web. The elevated position of the hill also offers panoramic views over the Tipperary countryside, reinforcing the link between landscape, history, and habitat. On a clear day, the Rock of Cashel can be seen.
Cabragh Wetlands
The Cabragh Wetlands Nature Reserve, situated just west of Thurles, was established on former floodplain meadows of the River Suir. Managed by the Cabragh Wetlands Trust, the site now supports an extensive network of reedbeds, ponds, and grassland habitats that attract a wide range of wildlife throughout the year. It is also adjacent to the Suir Special Area of Conservation.
Students visiting the wetlands observed dragonflies, frogs, pond snails, and wading birds such as herons and lapwings. The wetlands is in close proximity to the woodland setting of Killough Hill, allowing for discussion of habitat diversity, food webs, and the ecosystem services provided by wetlands — including flood control, carbon storage, and biodiversity support. We hope that students will be able to visit both areas, and in the future, we would hope that all local primary schools would have at least one day per year to engage in this project.
Educational Benefits
The project demonstrated clear educational and personal benefits for participants. Through experiential learning, pupils:
Developed ecological literacy by learning to identify native species and understand their ecological roles.
Built confidence and curiosity through direct engagement with the natural environment. It is a very interactive day and questions are welcomed by the facilitator, Mr. Duggan.
Improved teamwork, class development and communication skills by participating in group-based field activities and discussions.
Gained appreciation for local heritage, recognising the cultural and environmental value of sites like Killough Hill and Cabragh Wetlands. It is incumbent on the younger generation to protect these areas in the future.
Experienced wellbeing benefits from spending structured time outdoors — a factor increasingly recognised as vital for children's mental health and resilience. Cabragh wetlands is open daily and easily accessible, so hopefully students will continue to visit with their families as they bring home positive stories of their experiences.
Teachers and facilitators noted that many pupils had not previously visited these local natural areas, despite living nearby. The project therefore helped to reconnect children with their immediate environment, encouraging a sense of place and stewardship in their burgeoning identities.
Outcomes and Future Plans
By the end of the year, all ten participating schools completed at least one Outdoor Classroom Day, with all expressing interest in continuing visits in future years. In fact, more classes wished to participate than we could cater for. The partnership between Killough Community Group and Cabragh Wetlands Trust has proven highly effective, offering a model for sustainable environmental education in rural areas. We hope that Cabragh wetlands continues to grow and expand to meet the deep interests of the local and wider communities. Cabragh wetlands have also generously shared specific local curriculum with us such as bird and butterfly monitoring, and to develop teacher training workshops to help integrate local ecology into school curricula.
Plan for future action:
Try and attain funding so at least one class per school can participate, annually. The total cost was free for all participants- bus and all costs were included. It would be great to continue this annual event. Some students contributed to Killough Community Group, who last year won an award for their efforts at a local St. Patrick's Day parade, so it is great that students can benefit from and engage in a long term interest in biodiversity.