Guardians of Gullion, Engagement Day | Imbolc Festival

About

Celebrating Nature, Community & Action in the Ring of Gullion

Welcome to a Day of Discovery
Join us for an inspiring, family‑friendly celebration in the heart of the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), part of the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark. Throughout the day, you'll explore how communities, schools, businesses and families can work together to protect the landscapes, wildlife and heritage that make this area so special.

Whether you stay for the full programme or simply drop in for a talk, you'll find plenty to enjoy—hands‑on activities, expert workshops, and practical ways to take local action.

What's Happening (10.30am–2.00pm)
Biodiversity Discovery Zone
Explore interactive stands open all day, offering:

Meeting some of the nature groups working in the area
Art inspired by local plants and animals.
These activities are perfect for schools, youth groups, men's sheds, families and anyone curious about how they can get involved in nature projects.

Get Involved: Monitoring & Protecting Nature
Throughout the day, you can learn how your group or organisation can:

Borrow biodiversity monitoring equipment
Join species surveys and habitat recording
Help collect data that supports conservation work across the Geopark
Your observations directly strengthen the work of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark and Ring of Gullion AONB teams.

Talks & Workshops Programme
Booking Details
Talks are free however, booking is essential. Click link to book your place, Guardians of Gullion – Engagement Day Talks – Fill out form.

11.00am – Geodiversity: The Story Beneath Our Feet
Join Dr Gavin Grant from the AONB and Geopark Team to discover how rocks, soils and landforms shape our landscape, wildlife and rivers in the Ring of Gullion AONB and wider Geopark. You'll also learn why protecting this geodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems.

11.35am–12.35pm – Soil Matters: European Projects You Can Join
Soils are crucial to our survival—they provide food, purify water, and sustain biodiversity and climate stability. Families, schools and community groups can join the LOESS and ECHO projects to explore soil, try simple hands‑on tests and help monitor soil health. Learn together, take part in real citizen science and support a Europe‑wide effort to protect our landscapes from the ground up.

LOESS Project
Queens University will talk about the LOESS Project which aims to raise soil awareness by improving soil education in schools and communities. It offers creative tools and activities that help people understand and care for soil health.

ECHO Soil Project
The James Hutton Institute as part of the ECHO Project are recruiting local Soil Ambassadors called ECHO Ambassadors to take simple soil‑sampling tests. These results help map and compare soil health across Europe. Ambassadors receive training, support community participation, and help distribute soil‑sampling kits. This is a chance to put the soil from the Ring of Gullion AONB on a Europe map!

Together, these projects show how actions in the Ring of Gullion link directly to a wider European movement for healthier soils.

12.45pm–1.45pm – Protecting Our Rivers & Reducing Water Pollution
Experts from Dundalk Institute of Technology will lead two practical sessions:

12.45pm–1.15pm – River Surveying Methods
Learn simple, effective checks used by community groups to protect rivers from pollution.

1.15pm–1.45pm – Nature‑Based Solutions
Discover ways to:

Reduce water pollution around homes, farms and businesses
Use natural features to prevent flooding and improve water quality
These workshops are ideal for schools, farmers, businesses and community groups.

1.00pm – An Teanga sa Tírdhreach | Language in the Landscape
Taking place in Crossmaglen Library

Cuimhne na gcrann sna logainmneacha agus gnéithe den bhéaloideachas a bhaineann le crainn. Caint speisialta le Ciarán Mac Murchaidh a bheas oiriúnach do dhaoine nach bhfuil Gaeilge líofa acu agus fóirsteanach do theaghlaigh.

A memory of trees in place-names and aspects of folklore and trees. A special talk with Ciarán Mac Murchaidh. Suitable for non-Irish speakers and for families.

Why This Day Matters
The Ring of Gullion is known for its outstanding geology, rich biodiversity and vibrant cultural heritage. The future of this landscape depends on people—on local knowledge, community action and shared care.

The Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark and Ring of Gullion AONB team work throughout the year to:

Protect wildlife and habitats
Promote sustainable land and water management
Support community‑led environmental projects
Celebrate language, heritage and identity
This Engagement Day brings that work to life and shows how every person can contribute.

Who Should Attend?
This event is open to everyone, especially:

Community and voluntary groups
Schools and youth groups
Local businesses
Environmental organisations
Families and nature lovers
Drop in for an hour—or stay all day.

Join Us & Become a Guardian of Gullion
Be inspired. Gain practical tools. Meet others who care about the landscape.
Together, we can celebrate and protect the Ring of Gullion AONB for future generations.