We had a brilliant day at the UPSURGE Nature Workshop with schoolchildren from St Anne’s Primary School at the Lower Botanic site!

Held at the Friends of Field community garden, the workshop gave students the chance to connect with nature through fun and educational activities.

Students took part in a Bioblitz treasure hunt, where they explored the garden’s rich habitats, discovered insects, plants, and pollinators, and learned how even small green spaces can support urban wildlife. This hands-on activity helped spark curiosity about the natural world and highlighted the ongoing habitat enhancement efforts being carried out on-site through the UPSURGE project. 🐞🌼🌱

Students also got their hands dirty with seedball and seedstrip activities – learning how to grow their own wildflowers and vegetables and support pollinators right in their own communities.

One of the most hands-on and creative parts of the day was the planter-making session. With guidance from the amazing team at Belfast Tool Library, pupils rolled up their sleeves and built their very own wooden planters from recycled materials 🛠️🌿

Then came a burst of colour and creativity with a natural indigo dyeing workshop, led by Sue Bamford from Tools for Solidarity. Students watched as plain linen transformed into beautiful shades of blue using plant-based dye – a magical process that blended science, art, and heritage 💙🧵

The event was all about promoting sustainability, wellbeing, and hands-on learning, and we’re so grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Special thanks to the Green Fund from Sustainability at Queen’s University and the Belfast City Council Climate Team for their support.