Educational Outreach

The Breeding Waders EIP is committed to the conservation of ground-nesting wader birds through collaborative efforts with farmers, communities, and conservationists.

Our educational outreach programmes play a vital role in raising awareness, building knowledge, and encouraging active participation in wader conservation.

Objectives

• Promote understanding of breeding wader species and their ecological importance.
• Encourage sustainable land management practices that support wader habitats.
• Foster community engagement and stewardship.
• Support knowledge exchange between farmers, ecologists, educators, and the public.

Outreach Activities

Primary Schools

• We visit primary schools to educate the younger generation about ground-nesting wader birds, their importance, their habitats, biodiveristy and how everyone can contribute to their recovery.
• Sessions are tailored to suit the relevant age group and are interactive, incorporating visual aids, audio elements, and play-based learning.
• Workshop duration – one hour.

Secondary Schools

• Our secondary school workshops provide a deeper dive into the ecology of Ireland’s breeding wader species. Students explore the unique characteristics of each species, their preferred habitats, the challenges they face—including habitat loss, predation,—and the practical steps that can be taken to support their recovery.
• We also introduce students to career pathways in conservation, ecology, and environmental science. Workshops include discussions on relevant academic subjects, volunteering opportunities, and the variety of roles available within the environmental sector.
• Field trips to wader habitats can be arranged in collaboration with school staff and management. These excursions offer students a hands-on experience in nature, allowing them to observe conservation efforts in action and engage directly with experts in the field.

Farmer Information Evenings

Project Officers host dedicated information evenings for landowners interested in the Breeding Waders EIP. These events offer an opportunity to learn more about the project in an informal and accessible setting.

During the evening, attendees will be introduced to:

• The purpose and structure of European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs).
• The wader species targeted for conservation and the habitats they rely on.
• How landowners can participate in the project.
• The payment structure and support available for eligible participants.

These sessions are designed to encourage open discussion, answer questions, and build local engagement around wader conservation.

Community Events

Our team is always delighted to engage with communities and share knowledge about wader birds, their habitats, and the wider natural environment. If your community group is planning an event and would like to include a guest speaker, we welcome enquiries.

While we may not be able to attend every event, we will do our utmost to accommodate requests where possible and contribute meaningfully to local conversations about biodiversity and conservation.

Collaborations

We work closely with local councils, environmental NGOs, and other EIP projects to deliver impactful outreach.