A school in Derrylin has opened three new ponds after a year-long biodiversity project with a glass container producer.

The ponds, a collaborative work between St. Aidan’s High School and Encirc, aim to harness rainwater and boost biodiversity by forming habitats and providing resources for various species to survive and thrive.

Encirc, who is currently involved with more than 10 schools on various biodiversity initiatives, provided the materials for the pond construction which started last May.

Company employees were also involved in carrying out necessary work at different stages at the school.

The ponds will offer pupils the chance to see how capturing rainwater can create environments for different species like frogs, birds, insects, and plants.

Fiacre O’Donnell, sustainability director at Encirc said: "We have a biodiversity committee at Encirc which has 46 people on it, nearly 10 per cent of our Derrylin workforce.

"I must commend them for this initiative and all the hard work that has helped to create the ponds.

“Encirc’s Biodiversity strategy is an all-encompassing commitment to improving not only our workplace but our local communities with a long-term, sustainable plan that achieves continual biodiversity enhancement.

“We want to start conversations about biodiversity and through our actions, we want to change how everybody, especially schoolchildren see our natural environment.”

Christina O’Reilly of St. Aidan’s said: “St. Aidan's has been working to improve their local environment for several years now with the support of Encirc.

“They have built bird boxes and bird tables, vegetable beds, a pollinator flowerbed and now a three-pond system whereby we divert rainwater into ponds to encourage wildlife and improve biodiversity on the school grounds.

“They have worked in conjunction with the Ulster Wildlife Trust to identify local wildlife and indeed have published a book on the wildlife found on the grounds at Encirc.

“We hope to continue this important working relationship where the pupils benefit from these wonderful opportunities to learn more about their environment and how to protect it.”