Wetland Watchers

Aldouran Wetland Watchers is a group of young people from Leswalt and beyond, aged between 5 and 15 years, who responded originally to an appeal from the local Community Association. Their brief was to help in their own individual ways with the wetland and community garden project so that it encompassed all age groups in the community.

Today they are involved in varied aspects of the life of the garden and learn about the fauna and flora of the wetland and woodland. They are encouraged to express their ideas for the future development and care of the site and to help nurture and protect it. Since their formation in June 2007, the group has been active, throughout school holidays, with Saturday morning work parties, wildlife activity sessions and fund raising projects.

A rewards scheme is run for them where they are awarded a certificate according to the number of hours volunteering they do. There are three levels of achievement-Bronze (25 hrs.), Silver (50hrs.), Gold (100hrs.) and Platinum (250hrs.). We recognise the benefits for the children of volunteering as making new friends, having fun and gaining confidence.

School and Nursery visits

For a small donation to help maintain the project, fun and educational activities can be arranged for organised groups of all ages. All three areas of Aldouran (garden, wetland and woodland) are utilised accordingly e.g. Crafts and minibeast hunts in the garden, pond dipping in the wetland plus the sculpture trail in the woodland lends itself to various hunts, orienteering etc