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057-8672400 | info@laoisedcentre.ie

Biodiversity Demonstration Garden

An exciting new Biodiversity Garden has been developed at Laois Education Support Centre.

Below are some resources to help you find out more about taking some of these biodiversity actions in your own school grounds:

Biodiversity signs

Download our biodiversity garden signage

Pollinator Lesson Plans

Download our 10 pollinator lesson plans

Irish Schools Sustainability Network

Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI) collaborates with Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN) to offer a unique sustainability CPD schedule for teachers. This schedule can be accessed at https://www.issn.ie/ as well as information about monthly meet-ups for mutual support, innovative workshops facilitated by industry professionals, and access to a wealth of resources designed by teachers for teachers. ISSN is a community of teachers and students passionate about bringing climate literacy into schools.

Gardening for Biodiversity

For lots of suggestions on how you can help biodiversity in your garden, download the Gardening for Biodiversity booklet.

School Earth Education

SEED is a national network of educational centres and professionals with many years’ experience in primary and post primary environmental education, specialising in all aspects of organic school gardening. See https://www.schoolearthed.ie/

Green Schools

Green Schools is Ireland’s leading schools environmental management and award programme, working with primary and secondary schools across the country.

Heritage in Schools Scheme

The Heritage in Schools Scheme provides a panel of Heritage Specialists who visit primary schools to help children and their teachers learn about and appreciate their local heritage. The Scheme supports the stated aims and objectives of the Social, Scientific and Environmental Education (SESE) curriculum and provides an additional educational tool and resource for teachers.

GIY Grow at School

GROW at School is a food education programme that aims to enhance food literacy in primary schools.

Learn all about our garden birds, how to feed them, and how to make a bird box at www.BirdWatchIreland.ie  The website also has worksheets and an action guide for primary schools.

All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is about everyone coming together to try to help biodiversity. You can access lots of resources, including plant lists, videos and lesson plans and even a How-to-guide explaining step-by-step how to create a Pollinator Plan for your school. You can also register your school garden and add your school to a map of pollinator-friendly sites.

Download the Hedgerow lesson plans toolkit produced by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Brush up your identification skills and learn about recording and mapping biodiversity with the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

‘Puffin Rock Habitats’ is an educational project aimed to promote greater awareness and understanding of Ireland's biodiversity among families with young children, through a touring exhibition, workshops and activity book.

Learn all about wildlife ponds and how to make your own pond with An Taisce

Check out An Taisce’s guide to Composting.

Learn all about Ireland’s Bats via Bat Conservation Ireland’s dedicated educational website: https://learnaboutbats.com/

The Irish Seed Savers Association is a good place to source seeds and Irish heritage fruit trees.

Engage with Nature is a dynamic school and garden website designed to assist teachers, students and gardeners in creating a sustainable environment and combating climate change. There are lots of videos and lesson ideas.