Mayor hosts Guardian of the Sperrins event
1 July 2025
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, last week visited children in Artigarvan Primary School to recognise their efforts in the recent ‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ Project.
Developed by the Sperrins Partnership, ‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ was delivered to four local primary schools throughout the Council areas that make up the Sperrins region. Over 100 children participated in the project which aimed to promote the unique natural, built and cultural heritage of Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Primary five and six pupils from Artigarvan Primary School represented the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.The project included class visits to a variety of sites across the Sperrins including the recently completed Giant Sculpture Trail, Gortin Glen Forest Park and OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, followed by the creation of their own class book. Crucially, it provided an opportunity for the children to express what the area means to them and how it should be protected for future generations.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Ruairí McHugh said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit Artigarvan Primary School and see firsthand the enthusiasm and dedication of the young 'Guardians of the Sperrins'. This project is a fantastic initiative, truly bringing to life the unique natural, built, and cultural heritage of our beautiful Sperrin AONB for the next generation. The children's passion for preserving this landscape is inspiring, and their voices are vital as we develop the first-ever Sperrin AONB Management Plan. I want to take this opportunity to commend the Sperrins Partnership and everyone involved in making this project such a fantastic success.”
Sperrin AONB Officer Dearbháile Hutchinson also thanked all those involved adding “We have been truly inspired by the level of engagement from the children, who have demonstrated considerable awareness and appreciation of our special landscapes, and the need to protect them. A huge thank you to the teachers, pupils and everyone else involved”.
‘Guardians of the Sperrins’ forms part of a wider community engagement exercise aimed at informing development of the first ever Management Plan for Sperrin AONB. Highlighting the importance of youth engagement to this process Chair of the Sperrins Partnership, Councillor Sean Clarke stated “As future guardians of this landscape, young people’s views are critical in the development of the Sperrin AONB Management Plan. This project provided an opportunity to ensure these views were heard. We will continue to work with young people, so their voice is represented both at a development and delivery stage of the plan.”
This project has been funded by NIEA through the Carrier Bag Levy. If you would like to find out more about the project or the Sperrins Partnership, please visit –
https://sperrinspartnershipproject.com