Ecozone
School Pollinator Garden Grants Now Open
The School Polinator Garden grants are opening for applications on Monday 4th April. The grants are open to all schools/colleges/universities and funding available is between £3000-£12,000.
Examples of projects include creating a food growing space (including polytunnels, raised beds, paths) orchard planting, provision for creative outdoor learning, new native woodlands, green roofs for buildings and all the infrastructure needed to make the outdoors more accessible for pupils and students.
Professional fees are capped at 30% and this includes labour for installing features and workshops. Schools who were allocated a Rural Community Pollinator Garden grant last financial year are not eligible to apply in this round of funding.
The Live Here Love Here School Pollinator Garden grants are being wholly provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. They are being promoted through the Live Here Love Here collaborative partnership, involving DAERA, ten local Councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
KEY DATES
Application Stage
Deadline
Fund Opens
Monday 4 April 2022
Fund closes for applications
Thursday 28 April 2022 at 12pm
Project Completed & Financial Claims Submitted
Monday 27 February 2023
For more information and to apply click here.
For Guidance Notes click here.
FREE TREES FROM WOODLAND TRUST
Your school or community could get free trees for planting as part of an initiative from The Woodland Trust. Apply before 14th Aug by visiting https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/
BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT
Help take nature's pulse by joining the Big Butterfly Count!
The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see.
Get ready by downloading the handy butterfly ID chart or free app for iOS and Android to identify and record the butterflies you spot anytime until Sunday 9th August 2020.
Choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record on the website or app.
BRING BACK THE BEES
CAPTION: Council's Biodiversity Officer Christine Doherty talks about how bees are under threat and what we can do to help.
You can also read more at
Interested in bees? Learn how to recognise, record and monitor different bees by taking part in this BEErilliant module.
The All Ireland Pollinator Plan includes school resources and ideas about how you can help pollinators close to where you live.
🌳BE A TREE CHAMPION! The Tree Council have grants for tree planting open to schools and community groups.
🌧️Trees are so important for our environment; giving us shelter from the rain and helping cool areas when heatwaves come.
🌡️They're also really good for the air we breathe and are essential as we try to adapt to climate change.
➡️ https://bit.ly/2YOz7ot to apply
CLIMATE CHANGE
CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing society. Its consequences can include flooding, famine, drought, rising sea levels and ultimately, even the extinction of species. Educating everyone about climate change, its effects and what we can all do is important not just to reduce emissions but to reassure and empower people not to be afraid but to understand and take action where they can.
The following list of resources provide downloadable presentations, infographics and guides for a range of different ages across the curriculum. It is by no means a complete list of information available but is intended to assist you on your journey in educating our young people about climate change:
The Foundation Stage: Years 1 and 2
Key Stage 1: Years 3 and 4
https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/schools/resources/climate-change-resources
Key Stage 2: Years 5, 6 and 7
https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/schools/resources/climate-change-resources
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpqBto89i38
https://www.trocaire.org/sites/default/files/education/lent2015/climate-infographic-trocaire.pdf
www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LazyPersonGuide.pdf
Post Primary School
https://greenschoolsireland.org/resources/climate-action-teacher-resource/
http://www.epa.ie/mobile/media/GHG_Infographic_Dec_2018.pdf
https://www.trocaire.org/sites/default/files/education/lent2015/post-primary-resource-trocaire.pdf
Teachers' Guidance
Below are links to some useful tips and guides for teachers – in particular how to communicate climate change to children in a meaningful way without causing fear.
https://www.thoughtboxeducation.com/climatecurriculum
https://blog.usejournal.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-climate-change-3465079793f1
A more detailed list of resources for all ages can be found here:
https://campaigncc.org/schoolresources
RECYCLING STARTS AT HOME
Recycling is good for our planet and it also saves money so your community can be kept cleaner and you can have better facilities like parks and greenways. We have lots of videos on how to recycle right and what happens to items after you put them in the bin:
Brush up on your recycling knowledge by taking part in these fun activities:
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