‘People didn’t know where to start, so we asked them what they wanted to know’ – the Monaghan community hub transforming views on the environment
A community hub and garden founded on the site of an old national school in Co Monaghan is transforming views on nature, climate and the environment without “the stress”.
Knocknagrave Environmental Centre and Biodiversity Garden was born out of Tydavnet Group Water Scheme’s (TGWS) concern for local waterways.
Following Knocknagrave’s 2023 launch, TGWS manager Séan Clerkin said: “You might wonder why we are involved in climate change and related things.
“All of this is going to impact water. So the hope here is that by bringing kids and adults, we might at least better understand the issues and help each other to make slight changes to maybe tip the balance back in favour of nature.”
And what Knocknagrave teaches is ingrained in the very fabric of the facility, from its quaint former schoolhouse now fitted with solar panels and a heat pump to the surrounding acre that hosts a woodland walk, pond, grassland, bog and biodiversity garden.
The Knocknagrave Environmental Centre and Biodiversity Garden in Tydavnet, Co Monaghan
Gretta McCarron, who leads the centre’s educational programmes, said she found most people “are actually open to doing something” about climate change and biodiversity loss, but many don’t knowing where to start.
Those operating Knocknagrave simply asked those at their community events what they wanted to learn.
“A lot of people said they were interested in knowing more about green buildings, passive housing, what it means to get your house green, what the benefits are, what the challenges are,” Ms McCarron said.
“People said they were interested in learning how to grow their own vegetables.
“The most important thing is to be secure in food and energy.
“People don’t know the basics. So it’s to tell them how it is possible, what the benefits are, what the challenges are – all of those kinds of things.”
Knocknagrave education director Gretta McCarron explains biodiversity of water samples to pupils from the local St Dympna's NS. Photo: John McVitty
Knocknagrave, which is partly supported by EU Leader funding, hosts school visits from the border counties and beyond, enabling young people to explore nature and learn about the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.
It also aims to inspire the wider community and rural groups to learn about these issues and to consider alternative technologies in their homes and businesses to reduce their carbon footprints.
With a range of free workshops in the pipeline, Ms McCarron said the centre is “very busy” with schools and teaching young people about the environment in a way that doesn’t scare them.
She added: “These are adult problems and adults are responsible for it. We don’t want to destroy the kids.
“I want them to have the joy of being in nature rather than the stress of worrying about the birds and the bees; to try and develop a connection to nature so they appreciate nature and learn the mental health value of being out in nature more than worrying about climate change.
“Now we’re doing seeds and nuts and berries. They’re learning about hedgerows… There’s loads of butterflies and bees. It’s a great site.”