Starting this spring Manx BirdLife will be visiting Manx schools to teach young children about birds and their habitats on the island. The project started in March with the goal of visiting all the island’s primary schools within a year.

“At Manx BirdLife we believe that through birds we can teach both children and adults to value and protect Manx natural heritage as well as becoming part of the solution by becoming informed citizens who can actively participate and help to collect data that informs science and governments on the conservation status of birds.” said Dora Querido, Chief Operating Officer at Manx BirdLife.

Nicky Howard, the newly appointed Field Education Officer explained: “Using songs, stories and various indoor and outdoor activities the children will hopefully have enjoyed their experience, find a new interest in their lives and continue to appreciate our birds as they grow up.”

The project, funded by the Scheinberg family, aims to develop a suite of materials to support Manx schools in getting children interested in nature through birds as well as to enhance the participation of the Manx community in Citizen Science schemes like the Manx Garden birdwatch and the RSPB big garden birdwatch.

“Local children will be introduced to the fantastic diversity of bird life that we have on the island. We will help them understand the need to look after the various bird habitats and to appreciate that it will have an effect on their surroundings.” said Nicky.

The project will also deliver a one day conference about exciting bird projects and subjects relevant to the Isle of Man with the purpose of providing an opportunity for the Manx Bird community to get together and exchange their bird experiences.

A bird watching identification course is also part of the objectives of this project in order to increase the interest and awareness about birds in the Isle of Man.

After 18 months of the project, Manx BirdLife will evaluate the results and assess any further needs the schools and the birdwatching community might have.

“Having worked in education for many years, I am really excited about helping children understand the need to get outside and experience the natural world” said Nicky.

Since it was founded in 1998 Manx BirdLife has almost exclusively been working to gather most needed bird population trends for the Isle of Man. This new project is an important and exciting opportunity for the charity to disclose its works and findings while engaging and enhancing the bird community in the island.