‘Young generation are key to saving the planet’ schools garden project launch hears
THE sun shone brightly in Dripsey and the team at Griffin’s Garden Centre pulled out all the stops for the official launch this week of the seventh Muintir na Tire Cork School Garden Project.
Muintir na Tire, Cork County Council Environment and Heritage Sections and Griffin’s have all come together to organise this project / competition and over 20 primary schools across the County have already entered.
This year the theme is ‘Climate Change and Gardening’, and there will be special awards for garden elements that include upcycling, food production and biodiversity, while gardens that are pollinator friendly will also be awarded, said Mr Sean Holland, chairman of the School Garden Project.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy County Mayor Joe Harris praised this great initiative that helps children to learn the importance of nature while staying active.
At the launch, students got the opportunity to meet and chat with local beekeepers and learn the importance of bee friendly gardening. They also learned how to make plant pots from recycled newspaper and how to make seed bombs for wildflower gardening.
Margaret Griffin and the local beekeepers are asking schools to help protect our bees and to plant bee friendly gardens. Her message is simple: plant flowers and bees will follow. This year Griffins are again awarding a special award for the best bee friendly garden.
Dr. Mary Stack, one of the inspirations behind the project, said young people are the key to saving our planet and county council heritage officer Conor Nelligan urged schools to think biodiversity when gardening. Conor pointed out that a single oak tree is home to over 500 species. He urged schools to take part in the upcoming National Tree week by planting native Irish trees.
Log on now to www.muintircork.com to register your school for The 2019 School Gardens Project.