Wildlife Garden
The wildlife garden by the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre was developed to demonstrate wildlife-friendly gardening to school groups and the general public.

The garden has a species-rich hedgerow of native trees and a wildlife pond fringed with willow. Insect friendly bushes such as buddleia are planted in the borders. Habitat piles provide shelter for invertebrates.

The garden has adjacent willow trees which are regularly coppiced. Coppicing is a traditional technique encouraging multi-stemmed re-growth. Local communities formerly used coppiced material for basket weaving and it is currently used at Oxford Island in a number of willow weaving projects. Coppicing also provides increased cover for birds.

Coppiced willow is evident in the wildlife garden in the form of a willow dome. This is a living structure which makes the wildlife garden more interactive for young children. A wattle-and-daub shelter shows the former more practical use of willow as a building material.

Photo Gallery: Wildlife Garden

Habitats / Species / The-Lough / Conservation Grazing / Recent Management / Wildlife Garden

For Further Information	Oxford Island & Craigavon Council	Useful Links
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Graigavon, Co. Armagh, BT66 6NJ Tel: 028 3832 2205 Fax: 028 3831 1699 Email: oxford.island@craigavon.gov.uk Website: www.oxfordisland.com		Craigavon Council - www.craigavon.gov.uk Discover Craigvon - www.discovercraigavon.com Environment & Hertage - www.ehsni.gov.uk Environment - www.doeni.gov.uk e-Craigvon - www.e-craigavon.com