Follow the links below to find nature events taking place in your area. Have a look here to download free BBC resources that you may find interesting and useful on your day out.

GLENVEAGH'S NEW TREE TRAIL
A new self guided tree trail is now available free of charge at the Visitors' Centre or from the Nature Team. The walk talks about both native and non-native trees from the Visitors' Centre to the Castle. Call in and collect your free map or download it from Glenveagh National Park.

Log on to Glenveagh National Park for more information on the organisation and other events.


RSPB URGE NEST BOX CLEAN-UP

At the time of year when the RSPB is urging people to put up nestboxes ready for next spring, a surprising number of unusual shared occupancies have come to light.

The charity's wildlife enquiries team has been encouraging callers to clean out existing nestboxes and to put new ones in position so they are in place for when birds start to 'recce' possible nest sites in the spring.

Some birds will start to roost in them in the next few weeks as the weather turns colder too.

And the number of extraordinary reports of some species doubling up in nestboxes in recent years has come as quite a surprise.

Barn owl nestboxes seem to attract the most unusual tenants, with reports of the generous bird of prey sharing their nest boxes with birds like jackdaws, kestrels and stock doves.

Log on to rspb.org.uk/advice/ for more information on nestboxes.

GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK, CO DONEGAL
Family bus trip to Inch Wildfowl Reserve
Saturday 7th November - 2.30pm to appox 7pm. Bring all the family to see one of Ireland's most spectacular wildlife experiences. Witness the evening migration of huge numbers of wetland birds with a NPWS Conservation Ranger. Bus leaves Glenveagh Visitors' Centre at 2.3ppm and returns approx 7pm. Bring warm clothes and warm drinks/snacks. Bus can also pick up in Letterkenny.
Booking essential.

Log on to Glenveagh National Park for more information on the organisation and other events.


ENJOY THE ENCHANTED FOREST WITH NIEA
Crawfordsburn Country Park, Co. Down
Friday 20th November - 6pm to 10pm. Enjoy the myths and folklore at this magical event. Free admission. All welcome.

Log on to Northern Ireland Environment Agency for more information on the organisation and other events.


DISSOLVING LIMESTONE WITH NIEA
Dissolving the limestone of Fermanagh - the making of Killykeeghan Nature Reserve
Saturday 5th December - 1pm to 3pm. Your chance to discover the difference between cints and grykes, dolines and swallow holes in Killykeeghan Nature Reserve, Marlbank. Join us for a walk through pace and time. Free admission.

Log on to Northern Ireland Environment Agency for more information on the organisation and other events.


TREE TIME AT ECOS NATURE PARK, BALLYMENA

Saturday 5th December from 11am to noon - Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena. Join friends of Ecos volunteers to help set the UK's world record attempt to plant the most trees in one hour. This event is organised as part of BBC Breathing Places Tree O'clock - a 'big moment in time' dedicated to the celebration of trees.

To book a place on any of our events please contact us on 028 4483 0282 or email events@ulsterwildlifetrust.org leaving us a contact number.

Log on to www.ulsterwildlifetrust for information on the organisation and other events.


CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP WITH NIEA
Carrickfergus Castle.
Saturday 5th, 12th, and 19th December - 10.30am to 3.30pm. This event offers children the chance to make cards and decorations and gift wrapping with a recycled theme in Carrickfergus Castle. Normal admission charges apply..

Log on to Northern Ireland Environment Agency for more information on the organisation and other events.

ANCIENT ART OF COPPICING AT GLENARM NATURE RESERVE

Sunday 6 December from 11am to 3.30pm - Glens of Antrim. Volunteer your help with the annual hazel coppicing in this beautiful woodland and discover more about the biodiversity and cultural benefits of this ancient art. Suitable for over 16s only. Bring a packed lunch. No charge. Booking essential.

To book a place on any of our events please contact us on 028 4483 0282 or email events@ulsterwildlifetrust.org leaving us a contact number.

Log on to www.ulsterwildlifetrust for information on the organisation and other events.


A GREEN CHRISTMAS
Peatlands Park, Dungannon.
Saturday 13th December - 12pm to 4pm. Fun for all the children as Green Santa arrives on the 'North Pole Express' train. Free train rides, arts and crafts for the children, making green Christmas decorations and lots of green Christmas ideas! Free admission.

Log on to Northern Ireland Environment Agency for more information on the organisation and other events.

GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK BBC TV SERIES

BBC Two NI 7.30pm on Tuesdays, 7.00pm on Thursdays. The stunningly beautiful Glenveagh National Park in Co. Donegal is featured in a documentary series going out on BBC Two. Visit the BBC Irish website to view a short film about making the series.


WWT - CASTLE ESPIE

Castle Espie Wetland Centre offers a varied programme of events and activities for all ages (with discounted rates for WWT members). To book an event please phone 028 9187 4146.

Log on to wwt/castleespie for more information and booking details for the events.

WOODLAND TRUST APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS - BURNTOLLET WOOD

The Woodland Trust is seeking volunteers to help develop its new flagship site - Burntollet Wood, just outside Londonderry in the Faughan Valley. The Trust plans to plant over 36,000 native trees with the tree planting beginning in November.

You don't need to wait until November to experience Burntollet as you can enjoy 27 acres of wildflowers in one of the country's largest wildflower meadows.

No experience needed, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and access to a pair of welly boots.

To volunteer or find out more contact Michelle McCaughtry on 028 9127 5787 or email michellemccaughtry@woodlandtrust.org.uk. For a closer look at Burntollet Wood; visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/burntollet.


DIVIS AND THE BLACK MOUNTAIN
Date to be confirmed - Colin Glen to Dixon Link Fundraising Walk. Sponsored walk on behalf of the Belfast Hills Partnership. For more information visit www.belfasthills.org.


WILDFOWL AND WETLANDS TRUST, COMBER
Check out what's happening by using the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust calendar>>


THE NATIONAL TRUST
Keep up to date with events by looking at National Trust Northern Ireland >>


RSPB
Check the RSPB website for upcoming events.

FREE TREES FOR ALL WITH THE WOODLAND TRUST

Young people in Northern Ireland are being offered free tree saplings, thanks to the Woodland Trust.

Schools and youth groups throughout the country have the offer of a special, free pack of 30 native trees for planting in school or community grounds. Choose between a copse pack (for planting a small grove), or a hedge pack. Simply apply online now, and prepare to get planting this November.

Interested schools and youth groups can find out more and apply online now at woodlandtrust.org.uk/hedge .info/. Simply click the button ‘consider me for a pack’. The website also provides detailed planting instructions and curriculum-linked resources.



BE GOOD TO BEES WITH BLUE PETER

Breathing Places is asking Blue Peter viewers to Be Good to Bees. Bees are a hugely important species and are on the decline in the UK. We're working with Blue Peter to give away 75,000 packets of bee-friendly seeds - we want viewers to plant them and provide food for bees around the country.

Learn more about bees here: bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/animals/bees.shtml

If you can think of a child (or big kid) that would like to be good to bees, request a pack: bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/central/getinvolved/seedgiveaway.shtml


ULSTER WILDLIFE TRUST - GENERAL

Through our events we aim to inspire and educate people of all ages to care for and enjoy their local environment and its wildlife. Our events are free of charge to UWT members, and unless stated otherwise, £2 for non-members per adult and £1 for non-members per child. Our events are generally suitable for all ages, however some practical events are not suitable for under 16s. At all events under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Booking is required for all events unless stated otherwise. To book a place on any of our events please contact us on 028 4483 0282 or email events@ulsterwildlifetrust.org leaving us a contact number.

Log on to www.ulsterwildlifetrust for information on the organisation and other events.


BBC Breathing Places Schools project
Schools in the UK are being encouraged to join the new Breathing Places project. Primary, middle and special schools can join and will receive a set of resources including a bumper seed pack, growing instructions, an activity folder and extra information on plants.

BBC Breathing Places has joined forces with the RSPB, working with a variety of wildlife and conservation organisations, to make a great project for schools.

To register visit the BBC Breathing Places website.

For further information, please email: breathingplacesschools@bbc.co.uk

For more on the RSPB Breathing Places project visit the RSPB website.