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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Message from Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland I am pleased to send greetings to everyone involved in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards. It is heartening to witness the levels of interest and passion exhibited by so many young people in the future of the environment that we all share. This is an area of tremendous importance and it is reassuring that the motivators and leaders of tomorrow have such a collaborative ethos and have displayed such energy and innovation. I would like to commend the work that you are doing and I would also like to acknowledge the work that is done quietly in the background to encourage and promote this powerful concept, looking towards our shared future and the conservation of our environment. I congratulate all of the award winners and I wish you continued success in your endeavours.

Michael D. Higgins Uachtaran na hÉireann President of Ireland

Contents Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................... 3 Welcome........................................................................................................................................................ 4 About ECO-UNESCO .................................................................................................................................... 5 About ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards ......................................................................... 5 Young Environmentalist Awards Participants ........................................................................................6-9 Shortlisted Project Summaries Biodiversity...........................................................................................................................10-12 Climate Change...................................................................................................................... 12 ECO-Art & Design............................................................................................................... 13-14 ECO-Community Development .......................................................................................14-17 ECO-Enterprise ......................................................................................................................... 17 Energy........................................................................................................................................ 18 Super Junior.........................................................................................................................19-20 Transport.................................................................................................................................... 21 Waste....................................................................................................................................21-25 Water.......................................................................................................................................... 25 ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards Funders & Sponsors ................................................. 26

Acknowledgements ECO-UNESCO would like to thank all the participants, teachers and youth leaders who took part in this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards. We would like to thank our volunteers and those involved in promoting and supporting our work over the last year including:

Gold Funders, Silver Funders & Bronze Sponsors

Gold Funders: The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, The Department of Children and Youth Affairs Silver Funder: Environmental Protection Agency, The Department of Transport Bronze Sponsors: TOYOTA, Cork County Council / WasteMatchers

ECO-UNESCO Board, Staff & Interns

Board: Mark Bennett (Chairperson), Liz Carroll (Treasurer), Anne Marie Kilshaw (Secretary), Peter Byrne Staff: Elaine Nevin (National Director), Ann Kinsella, Aoife Murray, Armin Krautgasser, Colin O’Byrne, Dunchadh Kinane, Laura Cahill, Lucy O Neill, Maeve Boylan, Megan Noah, Rachel Gilliland Interns: Elisa Amatista, Ana Bezerra, Eoin Brennan, Inma Chincoa, Shawna Cleary, Gary Mentanko, Elisa Montani, Patrick Redmond, Inga Sprince

Volunteers

Aimee Vaughan, Carla Marina, Darren Murtagh, Helen Tobin, Julie Rossi, Laura Matassa, Liosa McNamara, Martina Gladisova, Monika Wasniowska, Niamh McCourt, Nicola Brennan, Nora Cunningham, Verena Wagner, and all of our other volunteers & interns who have helped throughout the year

Special thanks to

Judging Panel: Elaine Nevin (ECO-UNESCO Director), Mary Cunningham (National Youth Council Ireland); Mark Bennett (ECO-UNESCO Chairperson), Alan Hayes & Elaine Mahon (National Youth Council Ireland); Catherine Costelloe (WasteMatchers); Claire McCormac (Environmental Protection Agency); James Goulding & Kevin Ryan (Cork City Council); Meta Crozier, Andy Griggs & Marcus Malley (Craigavon Borough Council); Marion Parker (Roscommon County Council), Sandra Smith (Dublin City Council), Peter Brady (Meath County Council); Sharon Cameron (Mayo County Council), Sinead Ni Mhainnin (Galway County Council), Judges & Award Presenters: Duncan Steward (ECO-Eye Productions), Dr. Mary Stack (Cork County Council), Sinead McCurtain (Toyota Ireland), Siobhán NicThighearnain (Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government), Matt Crowe (Environmental Protection Agency), Award Presenters: Irish Aid, Michael Ewing (Irish Environmental Network), Ronnie Devlin (Department of Transport), ECO-Den Sponsors: Clare County Council, Galway County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick County Council, Longford County Council, Mayo County Council, Meath County Council, Roscommon County Council, Venue Sponsors: Dublin City Council (The Round Room), The Mansion House (Oak Room), Claregalway Hotel, Cork City Council & The Lifetime Lab, Craigavon Borough & The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Prize Sponsors: Delphi Adventure Centre, Delta Force Frontier Paintballing, Dublin Food Co-Op, Dublin Zoo, Fallon & Byrne, Kippure Estate Adventure, Lush, One Great Adventure, Patagonia, Rainforest Adventure Golf, Universal Pictures Ireland, Entertainment: Stephen Byrne (RTE Presenter), Mundo Capoeira Ireland Supporters: Michael D. Higgins (President of Ireland), Andrew Montague (Lord Mayor of Dublin), Colm Ennis, Grehan Printers Ltd., Ian Corbett (Toyota Ireland), Rothar, Mervyn Horgan, Phil Cahill Building Services, Tommy Clancy Photography, Youthreach

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The Young Environmentalist Awards are organised by ECO-UNESCO, Ireland’s Environmental Education and Youth Organisation. For further information please contact:

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Welcome to Ireland’s Biggest Celebration of Youth ECO-Action! Welcome to the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and Ceremony 2012, Ireland’s biggest celebration of young people taking environmental action, and congratulations to all of you for working so hard this year. We are extremely impressed by all the young environmentalists participating in this year’s awards programme. All of you have shown tremendous enthusiasm, creativity and innovation in your approach to protecting the environment and promoting environmental awareness among your peers, schools and youth groups, and wider community. This is the thirteenth year of the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards and since 1999 we have worked with tens of thousands of young people from all across Ireland and Northern Ireland who have participated by developing local environmental action projects to help conserve and protect the environment and encouraging others to do the same. This year, for the second year running, we ran our regional ECO-Dens. These are Dragons Den style events where young people have to pitch their projects to a panel of judges and this exciting format has encouraged more young people than ever to get involved. This year, there were more than 200 registrations from almost 4,000 passionate and talented young people from every county in the island of Ireland. We have shortlisted down to 60 projects which are on display at the 2012 Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase. This showcase is a testament to the hard work, time and effort put into the projects by all the groups involved. We hope you have a fantastic showcase and awards ceremony. We trust you will continue the great work and do let us know if we can help you to develop your projects further. Please also encourage others to take action and spread the spirit of the Young Environmentalist Awards. Thank you for making the programme such a success and we hope you have a wonderful day!

Mark Bennett Chairperson ECO-UNESCO

Elaine Nevin National Director ECO-UNESCO

About ECO-UNESCO Founded in 1986, ECO-UNESCO is Ireland’s environmental education and youth organisation. ECO-UNESCO has extensive experience in the development of environmental education programmes for young people in schools, youth groups and community groups. ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO clubs, centres and associations (WFUCA). ECO-UNESCO’s aims are to:

• Raise awareness, understanding and knowledge of our environment among young people;

• Promote the protection and conservation of our environment among young people;

• Promote the personal development of young •

people through practical environmental projects and activities Promote the ideals of UNESCO.

Our Programmes: Environmental Youth Programme ECO-UNESCO develops and runs programmes for young people on a broad range of environmental issues through schools, youth organisations, community groups or local authorities. The programmes include environmental events and activities, environmental workshops, ECO-UNESCO Clubs, ECO-Youth Choices and Youth for Sustainable Development including Peer Education Programmes.

Training Programmes ECO-UNESCO develops and runs training programmes for young people and trainers within non-formal and formal education, providing a specialist approach to working with young people. The programmes include one-day training courses, FETAC accredited courses (Introduction to Sustainable Development - FETAC L5) and ECO-Community Development Course - FETAC L3).

suitable for primary and secondary school teachers, youth groups, community groups and individuals.

Consultancy ECO-UNESCO also offers consultancy services to groups and agencies that want a specialist approach to environmental education, environmental youth work and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

The Young Environmentalist Awards Programme: ECO-UNESCO developed and has run the Young Environmentalist Awards programme since 1999. About the Young Environmentalist Awards The Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-Ireland environmental awards programme for young people aged 10-18. Since 1999, ECO-UNESCO has run this programme to honour the work of young people to protect, conserve and enhance the environment through local environmental projects, making a difference to their lives and the lives of others both locally and globally. After groups submit their ECO-Action project report, a number of groups from across Ireland and Northern Ireland are invited to pitch their projects to the ‘ECODragons’ in the regional semi-final judging rounds, the ECO-Dens. The finalists then showcase their project at the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Gala Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Dublin. The programme is a fun and exciting way to empower young people to become better citizens, to build awareness of environmental issues in the community and promote simple actions and lifestyle changes to improve the environment.

For more information visit www.ecounesco.ie

Education Resources ECO-UNESCO produces environmental education resources including publications, CD-ROMs and posters

Young Environmentalist Awards 2012 Participants ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Biodiversity

Page 10-12

Junior Project Title: Ballygar Forest Nature Trail

Young People: Bridget Corcoran, Ann Ward, Sharon Corcoran, Rose Marie Corcoran, Mary Ward, Niamh Eustace, June Corcoran From: Ballygar Youth Project, Co. Galway Leader: Niamh Eustace -

Project Title: Rosary’s After School Garden Club

Young People: Tracey Connoly, Katelyn Hogan, Leah Mulreaney, Robyn Kelly, Shauna Maguire, Rebecca Murphy, Jamie Carthy, Chelsea McGrath, Nicole Rankin From: Rosary College, Co. Dublin Leader: Niamh Collins

Project Title: The Importance of Trees

Young People: Dean Byrne, Tania Morgan, Lorna Byrne, Karina Hamilton, David Young, Ashley Byrne, Dillon Meyers From: O’Fiaich College, Co. Louth Leader: John Hogan

Senior Project Title: Biodiversity Fracking Mining

Young People: Stephen Delaney, Gary Debney, Chloe O’Keefe, Garreth Byrne, John Kelly, Katie Kinsella, Craig McGeehan, Stephan Byrne, Michelle McCann, Chelsea Cleary, Glen Uzel, Tony Roc, Glen Fay, James Gunnery From: Harmonstown Youthreach, Co. Dublin Leader: Wendy Elliot

Project Title: Butterfly Away

Young People: Rachel Byrne, Chloe O’Kane, Shannon Shine, Nikita Ganley From: St Joseph’s Summerhill, Co. Roscommon Leader: Nikita Ganley

Project Title: Green Diversity

Young People: Caomhan Conaghan, Ciara Hanlon, Siofra Regan, Triona Larkin, Christopher O Connor From: St Brigid’s Vocational School, Co. Galway Leader: Ann Taylor

Project Title: Killala Bay Sand Dwellers Young People: Rory Upron, Brian Davelle, Cillian Upron From: St. Muredachs College, Co. Mayo Leader: Margaret Kenny

Project Title: Park Life

Young People: Hayley Rochford, Alia Luddy, Ylenia Colametto, Nuria Martinez Sahun, Danielle Lynam, Rachel Fox, Emma Farrelly, Ciana Jordah, Aisling Byrne, Ciara Hennigan, Lina Jaber, Siobhan McGearty, Ciara Hamilton, Ciara Laird From: Manor House Raheny, Co. Dublin Leader: Jill Macklin

Project Title: Plan for the Future Take Action Now! Young People: Lorna Colleran, Ciara Connolly,

Karen Connolly, Karen Fox, Lianna Hynes, Kelley Malone, Megahan McCarthy, Elaine Moran, Orla O’Flynn, Vassili Samsonov, Olivia Flaherty, Sinead Donnelly, Darren McDonagh, Sylvia Smith From: Calasanctius College, Co. Galway Leader: Aine Clarke

Project Title: The Waterloo Bird Boxers

Young People: Paul O’Mahony, Luke Conroy, Darragh Hayes, Conor Horgan, Jamie O’Connor, Eoin Sheehy From: Waterloo Renewal Group, Co. Cork Leader: Paul O’Mahony

Project Title: Where Has All The Buzz Gone?

Young People: Maeve Upton, Cora Hannon, Niamh Tuffy, Conor Gallagher, Shane Wright, Kristina O’Dowd, Liam Naughton , Conor Kavanagh, Damien Barrett From: Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo

Climate Change

Page 12

Senior Project Title: PEP’s Grasstonbury

Young People: Stephen Hayden, Aisling Hartnett, Aisling Mullen, Jenny McNamara, Bona Mae Patlong, Daniel Stairs, Ceire Tiernan, Loic Wright, Lydia Sweetman, Kate Hughes, Kate Kelly, Barry Dunne, Eoin McNamee From: ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group Leader: Laura Cahill

ECO-Art & Design

Page 13-14

Junior Project Title: Eco-Warriors: Our Action / The Reaction

Young People: Chloe Pattison, Meabh Loughnane, Joanne Doyle, Fiona Noble, Maeve MacMamard, Georgette Vegel de Dios, Linda Postel, Jerie Macapagal, Niamh Stallings, Chloe Sapienza, Aysha Israr, Kate Moore, Sarah Tracey, Jennifer Martin, Marie Pujanes, Ingrid Makazhu, Sinead Smith, Debbie Shonowo, Clair Williams, Ejiro Afe, Hayley Kavanagh, Ally Kenny, Aine Hickey, Aoibhinn Murphy, Vivian Adegoke From: St Joseph’s College, Co. Dublin Leader: Felicity Lynch

Project Title: Our Recycled Garden Patch

Young People: Amy Barry, Cormac Barry, Rachel Barry, Kayleigh Brady, Dearbhla Butterly, Cian Connolly, Shannon Caicier, Conoc C. Duffy, Ellen Fretwell, Nadine Gorman, Tommy Hamill, Amanda Hughes, Doville Lickyte, Conor Lynch, Kevin Murphy, Caroline Lawlor, Emma Wood From: Bush Post School, Co. Louth Leader: Yvonne Wynne

Project Title: Titanic Recycled

Young People: Declan O’Mahoney, Jordan Ahern, Grace Aherne, Chloe O’Driscoll, Ericka O’Donnovan, Lyndsay Murphy, Ryan Dorgan, Daniel Timmins,

Megan Lehane, Nicole Timins, Michelle Murray, Niamh Bradley, Leah O’Connor, Megan Walsh, Setanta Walsh, Nicole Buckley, Shane O’Connor, Eric Meyers From: Greenmount Youth Group, Co. Cork Leader: Nora McCarthy

Senior Project Title: Stanner Green Steps

Young People: Greta Baksyte, Juste Balcaiyte, Jaime Byrne, Kaite Gumble, Aideen Healy, Amy Judge, Kirsty Keane, Asheigh O’Shea, Abbey Rooney, Natalia Tyrakowska, Angelika Zywczyk, Kamile Rakauskaite, Kelly O’Neill, Nikita Hanley, Alina Bakhtawar From: Stanhope Secondary School, Co. Dublin Leader: Thomas Gleeson Young People: Christina Appleby, Emily Bailey, Lisa Barry, Michelle Blake, Carmel Coulton, Juliet Dillon, Rachel Dillon, Robyn Fitzpatrick, Sara Fitzpatrick, Alannah Irwin, Emma Jackson, Emma Keating, Orla McAndrew, Alice McKenna Christina Mohan, Belan Del Corran From: The Teresian School, Co. Dublin Leader: Terry Glass

Project Title: Fashion Junkies

Young People: Megan Waters, Ciara Judge, Laura Bennett, Shanice McNally, Ashling Quinn, Vanessa Blake, Rachel O’Regan, Nikita Griffin, Stephanie McNamara, Kera Coleman, Tara Clohessy, Chloe Phelan, Olivia Shanahan, Anastasia Novikova, Alanna Mulloney, Lynda Slattery, Sinead Tully, Brianna Wallace, Haley Gardiner, Dorothy Pickford, Zeba Sherazd, Jessica Harris From: Presentation Secondary School, Co. Limerick Leader: Helen Ahern

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Junior Project Title: Raising Environmental Awareness Through Practical Action

Young People: Rachel Byce, Carly Bryant, Bailey Loughlin, Louise Duffy, Oliver Sinclair, Chloe Boyce, Shannon Coyle, Cianra Murray, Amy O’Hanlon, Nikita Lewis, Erin Lee, Aimee Gourney, Ciatlin O’Toole, Rebecca Tinney, Amy McDaid, Christopher Dalton From: Ramelton Community Youth Project, Co. Donegal Leader: Dave Kenny

Project Title: Hats Off To The Environment

Young People: Kirsty Travers, Dean Cleighton, Hayley Emmett, Marese Sherlock, Kevin Maguire, Kyle Finn, Nico Moran, Dylan Masterson, Bernard O’Donnell, Mary Quinn From: Blakestown Community School, Co. Dublin Leader: Mary Quinn

Project Title: Bridge Boys Renovation Project

Young People: Jay White, Evan Barcoe, David Hennessy, Aidan Hennessy, James O’Brein From: Ossory Youth Group, Co. Killenny Leader: Martina Maher

Project Title: Caring For Our Environment

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Project Title: Community Clean Up

Young People: Yasmin Dolan, Nicole Boland, Sean Byrne, Dylan Walsh, Lee Miley, Karl Malone, Terry Murray, Karl Murray, Holly Walsh, From: Ballymun Regional Youth Resource, Co. Dublin Leader: Tracy Hickson

Project Title: Green Visions

Young People: Clare Purvis, Dylan Byrne, Zara Donohoe From: GAP Ballymun, Global Action Plan, Co. Dublin Leader: Deirdre Walsh

Project Title: Green Fingers

Project Title: Creative Recycling

ECO-Community Development

ron Rooney, Catariona Dowd, Andrea Carter, Sorohan, Philip McDonagh From: Lanesboro Communtiy College, Co. Longford Leader: Michael Lyons

Young People: Laura Guinan, Aisling Cosgrove, Shane Cosgrove, Gwen Curley, Shannon Whitlow, Emma Kenny, Eileen, Sarah Brennan, Sha-

Young People: Megan Waters, Ciara Judge, Shanice McNally, Aisling Quinn, Vanessa Blake, Rachel O’Regan, Nikita Griffin, Stephanie McNamara, Kera Coleman, Tara Clohessy, Chloe Phelan, Olivia Shanahan, Alanna Mullaney, Sinead Tully, Hayley Gardiner, Dorothy Pickford From: Presentation Secondary School , Co. Limerick

Project Title: Paint The Town Green

Young People: Chloe Kissane, Emma Linnane, Maeve Linnane, Megan Carney, Aoife McDonnell, Dervla O’Connor, Conor Moore, Shane O’Sullivan, Molly Twomey, Sarah Morris, Shauna Moore, Chloe Neenan, Shannen Dowling From: Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Co. Kerry Leader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: The River-Boys

Young People: Eileen Hayes, Noreen Hayes, Cathal Lane, Alan O’Connor, Sinead Collins, Orla Heuston, Aoife Casey, Sean Nagle, Jessica Power, John Dillon, Megan Greene, Roma Byrne From: Ennistymon Vocational School, Co. Clare Leader: Denis O’Gorman

Project Title: Working Toward a Better World

Young People: Molly O’Connor, Eleanor O’Sullivan, Sarah Eason From: Loreto Secondary School Fermoy, Co. Cork Leader: Lynda Meiklejohn

Project Title: X-Hale Youth Forum

Young People: Eoin Brennan, Warren Farrell, Jessica Hughes, Luke Foley Luke Mc Cormack From: ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group Leader: Laura Cahill

ECO-Enterprise

Page 17

Senior Project Title: Clockwise

Young People: Jane Kiely, Amy Conway From: Laurel Hill Secondary School, Co. Limerick Leader: Ms. Fahy

Project Title: Trash For Trees

Young People: Sorsha McCaffery, Geraldine O’Reilly, Stacey O’Reilly, Andrew Johnston, Mannaz Canning, Adrian McIntyre, Eric Murray From: Cavan Youthreach, Co. Cavan Leader: Chris Kirk

Energy

Page 18

Senior

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Project Title: Candle-Lit-Concert

Young People: Ciara Chambers, Stacey Aleshko, Diane Maguire, Jack Hennessy From: St Kilian’s German School, Dublin Leader: Helmut Sundermann

Project Title: Energy Savin’ Awareness Raisin’

Young People: Eamon Allen, Eoin Byrne, Mark Geraghty, Adam Freegrove, Ronan Quinn, Michael O’Leary, Ciaran O’Connor, Ciaran Guihen, Paul Kelly, Peter McNamara From: St. Benildus College, Co. Dublin Leader: Eamon Allen

Young People: Paige Ivers, Jessica Byrne, Jadeen Lynch, Brenna Coffey, Ilham Abdulla, Katie Foran, Shelby O’Connor, Jade Boyd, Shauna Kiernan, Emma Mulligan, Chloe Byrne, Celine McDermot, Cathy Walsh, Nichole O’Dwyer From: Mercy College, Co. Dublin Leader: Mary Scully

Page 19-21

Project Title: A Look at the Lough

Young People: Andrew Diggins, Harry O’Callaghan, Dovyadas Zemaitis, Alex Carey, Darragh O’Callaghan, Raymond Cotter, Joshua Ababon, Eoin Chandley, Matthew Harte, Conor Scanlon, Adam McEvoy, Milo Higney, Calvin Doherty, Adam Walsh, Jervis Gouamene, Michael Murphy, Amritansh Tiawari, Tyrone Alabi, Jack MacCarthey, Christopher Mullane, Rory Coulter, Michael O’Byrne, Dylan Hannigan, Scott Bowdren, Talha Khan, Jake Duggan, Morgan Sheehan From: Glasheen Boys National School, Co. Cork Leader: Tim O’Neill

Project Title: Biodiversity & Community Compost Bin

Young People: Melissa Conroy, Muireann Hyes, Ruth O’Mahony, Ronan McGee, David Sullivan, Anna Sullivan, Aoibhe Leahy, Sarah O’Sullivan From: Waterloo Community Group, Co. Cork Leader: Mary O’Mahony

Project Title: Bio Eye

Project Title: Going Batty

Young People: Jane Donnelly, Chloe McDowell, Aoife Shanks, Olivia Lennon, Elise Smyth, Sarah Corr, Maria Donnelly, Cliodhna O’Neill, Nevin Donnelly, Kevin O’Hagan, Liam McCavigan, Eoin McVeigh, James Judge, Caolan McCann, Callum Dynes, Calum Stevenson, Danny McAlinden, Matthew Close From: St. Mary’s Primary School, Co. Armagh Leader: Terry McCullagh

Project Title: Litter and Waste

Project Title: Lets Save Energy

Super Junior

Conor Doocey, Mika Froelich, Catherine Keane, Dadagh McKeon, Angel Murphy, Liam Organ, James Lenihan, Ruby Keane, Peter Phelan, Beibhin Delaney, Ava Battye, Sean Kelly, Niall O’Brien, Elana O’Rourke From: Seafield National School, Co. Waterford Leader: Denise O’Meara

Young People: Rachel Keane, Hannah Walsh, Percy O’Callaghan, Niamh McKeon, Orla Lennon, Evan Keane, Aislinn Keane, Thomas Coffey, Holly Kiersey, Sarah Kate Gough, Megan O’Brien, Lauren Wall, Maud O’Callaghan, Kevin Murphy, Kate Lenihan, Emily Keane, Rosion Murphy, Daniel Delaney, Aaron Condon, Ozzy Murphy, Bell Murphy, Shane Murphy, Laren Power, Ben Keane, Aibhilin Dowling, Alannah Doocey, Patrick Kiesey, Alo Gough, Mide Delaney, Daire Walsh, Shiona Dunphy, Ruth Phelan, Caoimhe Keane, George Markham, Michael O’Brien, Katie Condon, Leah Froelich Donnacha Dunphy, Kellie Galvin, Andrew Weldon, Caoimhe Whelan, Geordan Murphy, Emma Phelan, Jessica Keane, Roan Keane, Emily Lenihan,

Young People: Caroline Kelly, Padraig Kane, Nathan Brudell, Fiachra Heeney, Eoin Deegan, Ciaran O’Brien, Ciara Daly, Ciara-Lee Carey, Stephanie Brudell, Aiobhin Jackson, Owen McIntyre, Adam McGoldrick, Maddy Norris, Jemma Seery, Philp Reynolds, Muir Ward, Cody Finanne From: St Patrick’s National School, Co. Westmeath Leader: Yvonne Skelly

Project Title: Save Energy Save Money

Young People: Sarah Jane Corry, Aimee-Jo Abraham, Sarah-Jo Loney, Zoe Raferty, Helen Sinton, Maisy Corry, Rebekah Sinton, April Bothwell From: Mullavilly Primary School, Co. Armagh Leader: Pam Lowry

Project Title: The World Is What We Make It

Young People: Keelin Bogle, Jack Vance, Elisha Cole, Nicole Sweeney, Nicole Reddington, Shannon Laird, Joshua Gibson, Adam Roulston, DJ Kelly, Lee Gibson, Gerard McBrien, Nicole Kavanagh, Laura Stokes, Beth McNamee, Megan Doherty, Patrice Doherty, Ben O’Donnell, Kielan McMonagle, Corey Harkin, Nadine Toye, Leah O’Donnell, Caitlin O’Donnell, Leah Kilpatrick, Kirsty Bogle, Ben Laird From: St Eunan’s National School, Co. Donegal Leader: Anita McGonagle

Project Title: Wonderful Water

Young People: John Brogan, Rachel Meehan, Rebecca Wilson, Eleanor Moloney, Niamh Yore, Patrick Smith, Jack Roche, Patrick Mc Dermott, Rachel Morris, Jessica Connell, Kevin McCabe, Finn Hamill, Mollie Gillic, Yvonne Farrelly, Emily Wyse, Hannah Morris From: Carnaross National School, Co. Meath Leader: Elizabeth Moloney

Transport

Page 21

Senior Project Title: The Effect of Iding of Car Engines

Young People: Gillian Morrissey, Susanne Murphy, Catherine Prasifika From: The Teresian School, Co. Dublin Leader: Terry Glass

Waste

Page 21-24

Junior Project Title: Renew-A-Fuel

Young People: Emma Orr, Laura Todd, Sarah Glass, Ronan McGee, David Sullivan, Anna Sullivan, Aoibhe Leahy, Sarah O’Sullivan From: Ballycastle High School, Co. Antrim Leader: Laura McBride

Project Title: Rosary Recycling Rascals

Young People: Claire Hyland, Stacey Connelly, Aisling Greenhalgh, Pearl Steacy, Shelby Steacy, Karolina Jaorsz, Edward, Aaron Robinson From: Rosary College, Co. Dublin Leader: Niamh Collins

Project Title: The Big Tidy Up

Young People: Harry Drinkwater, Paul O’Rourke, Michiel Hofman, Tiernan Curran, Sarah Kells, Eoin Hughes, Leah Chillingworth, Benjamin Young, Terrence Hernandez, Patrick Dalton, Declan O’Hare, Katie Flyn, Jack Foy, Patrick Leonard, Anna Hyland, Charrlotte Todd, Michael Sheerin, Alex Symes, Nikita Breslin, Tara Hernandez, Alician Edgar From: Our Lady St Patrick’s College, Co. Antrim Leader: Roisin Collins

Senior Project Title: Bins Not Fins

Young People: Sadhbh Brosnan, Megan Green, Micheal Costello, Laura Sicat, Ciara Cusack, John Nolan, Megan Carney, Roisin Hussey, Mairin Maher, Zack Doherty, James Kelly, Conor Scully From: Mercy College, Mounthawk, Co. Kerry Leader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: Heavy Metallers

Young People: Clare Cannaughton, Kayleigh O’Doherty, Emma McCaul, Grace Foley From: St Joseph’s Summerhill, Co. Roscommon Leader: Kayleigh O’Doherty

Project Title: Manage the Damage

Young People: Marcus Gibson, Sarah Scullion, Lauren Dummigan, Aimee McNeill, Nicola McCrory, James McConville From: St Michael’s, Co. Armagh Leader: Sheena Grant

Project Title: Recycle or Sink

Young People: Emily Kelehan, Aisling Moffat, Jill MacNair, Meabh Carrigan, Alacoque White, Orlaith Donelly, Julie O’Hare, Stephanie O’Connor From: Loreto High School Beaufort, Co. Dublin Leader: Sarah O’Neill

Project Title: Seaweed Project

Young People: Samantha Walsh, Leo Mullane, Chloe Kenefick, Kerryanne O’Mahony, Robyn Griffin, Michael O’Keeffe, Jane Kalilec From: East Cork Youthreach, Co. Cork Leader: John McHarg

Project Title: The 5 R’s

Young People: Megan Donnelly, Sally Felle, Caoimhe Connaughton, Gemma Hickey, Maryam Taj Shaikh, Ciara

Daly, Syd Virginio, Stacey Hanley, Shauna Dawson, Mairin Minahin, Roisin Collins, Nicola Keaveney From: Salerno Secondary School, Co. Galway Leader: Katie Sullivan

Project Title: Tidy Teens Take Over

Young People: Claire Mangan, Emma Sheeran, Aoife Molloy, Alison Wright, Yvonne Leavy, Niamh Bolger, Danielle Reynolds, Aoife Jones, Tara Dunne, Shannon Baker From: Daingean Junior Tidy Towns, Co. Offaly Leader: Pauric McGrath

Project Title: Waste Doesn’t Have To Be Ugly

Young People: Kelsey Hehir, Mark Jennings, Wayne McDonagh, David Bilton, Eileen Delaney From: Youthreach Birr, Co. Offally Leader: Celina Casey

Project Title: We Dig Worms

Young People: Niamh Cleary, Martina O’Connor, Ellen O’Doherty, Clare Breen, Katie McCarthy, Niamh Sheehy, Aine OConnor, Sadhbh Keating, Aisling McDaid, Keeva OSullivan, Alex Redlich, Fiona McKeown From: Presentation Secondary School, Co. Kerry Leader: Rita O’Donoghue

Project Title: Wormery Works

Young People: Niamh Farrell, Ellen Foley, Grainne Murphy, Julia Solovyov From: St Joseph’s Summerhill, Co. Roscommon Leader: Niamh Farrell

Water

Page 25

Junior Project Title: Fighting for the Environment

Young People: Cara Skelton, Orlaith Ward, Reece McGinn, Conor Barrow, Ciara Mallon, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Olivia Cunningham, Olivia Connery, Shea O’Neill, Rebecca Rose Conway, Martin Loughran, Ethan Quinn From: Holy Trinity College, Co. Tyrone Leader: Chris Callan

Senior Project Title: Operation Rainwater

Young People: Barry Dunne, Daniel Walshe, Sarah Brown, Martin Cawley, Terry Mills, Evan Taylor, Dylan Dunne, Ger Buckley, Eric Conroy, Denis Joyce, Ryan Duncan, Niall Keenan, Finian Robbins, Joe Deering From: Clara Youthreach, Co. Offally Leader: Joe Deering

Project Title: Stop The Pollution, Find A Solution

Young People: Margaret Mandal, Lorraine Murray, Claire O’Brien, Jamie Grennan, Lorna Henson From: Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath Leader: Mary O’Mahony

Project Title: Would You Pay For Poison?

Young People: Edel Carmody, Nicola Galvin, Sean Harrington, Joe O’Kelly, James Galvin, Lauren Flynn, Lauren Walshe, Michael O’Brien, Ryan Mc Govern, Rebecca O’Sullivan, Eimear Neenan From: Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Co. Kerry Leader: Shane Kissane

Shortlisted Project Summaries ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Biodiversity

Ballygar Forest Nature Trail

Ballygar Youth Project, Co. Galway

Junior

The Ballygar group researched their local forest and created a nature trail for the public to use. With source maps from their local forest manager at Coillte they surveyed the forest area and noticed a need to organise a litter clean up. They began to study the importance of forests in our eco-system and felt that they should do something to help promote biodiversity. They also contacted their local family resource centre for help in building bird feeding tables and trail markers to help improve their proposed trail. They’ve shared their new understanding with their community, family and friends and helped to promote an appreciation of this natural resource and amenity to the public.

Rosary’s After School Garden Club Rosary College, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Junior

This group from Rosary College were interested in getting their hands dirty by reviving the disused school garden and creating an after-school gardening club. The team worked hard to pull up weeds and overgrowth and replace them with many types of bulbs and plants in their prepared vegetable patch. To promote biodiversity and encourage birds to visit their garden, bird feeders were made out of old milk cartons. To give the garden some sparkle, a mosaic was built from old tiles showing how waste can be used in different ways. They helped promote their progress by starting a Facebook page and also linked up with the Jack and Jill Foundation, who with help from the Rosary Recycling Rascals, collected unused mobile phones for recycling. This was a great project that gave the group a sense of pride in their school community.

The Importance Of Trees In Biodiversity O’Fiaich College, Co. Louth

Harmonstown Youthreach, Co. Dublin

Junior

The group from O’Fiaich College decided to do their project on biodiversity with an emphasis on the importance of trees. Their aim was to present information on native trees, highlight the value of biodiversity and raise awareness on the issue of global deforestation. The group headed outdoors to survey their school grounds, to discover the varieties of trees in the area and take stock of their quantities. They spent time researching the causes of deforestation and decided that these findings should be accessible to younger students. To engage them in a creative way it was decided that an attractive visual display on the importance of trees needed to be designed. This was a very rewarding project and the group hope to continue educating their peers on this important subject.

Biodiversity Fracking Mining

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The group at Harmonstown Youthreach were concerned about the recent media debates on the viability of extracting natural gas through the process of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” in Ireland. The group did an in-depth study to learn what “fracking mining” consisted of and what benefits and potential dangers are associated with its implementation. Not only did they study the physical mechanics of the operation but their research also panned out to explored how this topic is being discussed in the public, by politicians and in the media. After discovering

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the significant risks that fracking poses (water contamination, earthquakes), the group wanted to take action to prevent this process from being adopted in Ireland. They reached out to other active citizens groups to start a petition which urges the banning of this controversial method.

Butterfly Away

St Joseph’s Summerhill, Co. Roscommon

Senior

Raising awareness of the decline in butterfly numbers in Ireland was the aim of this team from St Joseph’s school. The group investigated the effects of butterflies within the environment and the negative effects that human activity has on the butterfly population. A survey was then conducted within the school to determine the basic knowledge the students had regarding butterflies. Armed with this information the group then developed and designed flyers and posters and distributed them throughout their local community to promote awareness of the declining numbers of butterflies. Added to this, a butterfly garden was also constructed within their school grounds.

Green Diversity

St Brigid’s Vocational School, Co. Galway

Senior

The students at St Brigid’s wanted to examine the effects of Climate Change on the local water birds and then determine some methods to help its local populations. They started an awareness campaign by creating posters and videos and hosted a series of information events such as an Open Night and Parent’s Night to inform their friends and family of the birds’ plight. They contacted members of Bird Watch Ireland and organised a talk from one of their representatives. Inspired by this talk the group then decided to build a series of bird boxes and installed them in their school grounds.

Killala Bay Sand Dwellers

St. Muredachs College, Co. Mayo

Senior

The idea for this project stemmed from the spectacular views of the river Moy from this groups school gate in Ballina and a team members passion for fishing. The project aimed to investigate how much the sandy beaches and mudflats play a role in attracting a variety of fish and bird species to the river Moy estuary. Local information, questionnaires, state agencies and both local and international experts formed the basis of research for this project. Sand dwelling species from both sides of the estuary were identified and numbers were estimated using a variety of methods such as line transects and quadrants. From the research the group concluded that sand dwellers contributed greatly to local food chains. The research points to a need for a greater priority given to the protection of marine estuary ecosystems.

Park Life

Manor House, Raheny, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This projects aim was to make people aware of biodiverstiy in the area. The team contacted the local park ranger and hit the field to survey two local parks where they learned to identify a range of species like foxes, squirrels, birds and a multitude of trees and plants. To raise awareness of local biodiversity the group held a variety of events to help inform their school. They made presentations on the importance of biodiversity, wrote an article for a local paper, started a historical website on local parks, handed out leaflets and made eye-catching posters. The next step for Manor House is to continue the survey along the river and other wild sites in the area.

Plan For The Future Take Action Now!

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Calasanctius College, Co. Galway

Senior

This group of transition year students from Calasanctius College decided to partner up with Oranmore Tidy Towns to produce a three-year biodiversity action plan. One of the main actions involved was raising awareness and engaging students on the issues surrounding biodiversity. The group undertook biodiversity training, learned how to identify the diversity of trees in their area and took woodworking projects to produce nesting boxes and a living willow sculpture for Oranmore Tidy Towns. The group also produced packs to be distributed to local schools which included bird feeders, nesting boxes - for local schools and bug viewers. A fun poster competition called ‘Nature All Around Us’ was initiated in which the winning design will be used for a biodiversity mural in the school.

The Waterloo Bird Boxers

Waterloo Renewal Group, Co. Cork

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The Waterloo Bird Boxers were interested in improving the habitat for birds which seem to be on the decline in the area. They organised a talk with a local ecologist on biodiversity and invited other schools and members of the community to join them. The group then set out to build ‘bird boxes’ to encourage robins, sparrows and barn owls back to the area with help from Cork Co. Council and the local Waterloo joinery. All of the wood sourced was from second hand sources, from neighbours and community cleanups and with what remained they also produced a public bench for use along the River Martin Trail. The group raised awareness with posters and notices and have organised info sessions with the Active Retirement Group. They are also taking part in Heritage Week in Waterloo to share what they’ve worked on.

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Where Has All The Buzz Gone?

Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Co. Sligo

Senior

The study of bees in the Sligo area was the aim of this project. The group conducted a survey to measure local bee activity and to help raise awareness of the importance of bees in pollinating flowers and crops. They worked with biodiversity experts and joined the local bee-keeping association in order to learn more about these fascinating creatures. They began building bee hives out of recycled, untreated wood and from the sale of these hives they hope to plant more bee-friendly flowers in the area. They also began working with the Enniscrone Community Council to create a community hive for local use. ECO-UNESCO Club

Climate Change PEP’s Grasstonbury

ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group

Senior

The aim of this project was to raise awareness and spread constructive thinking on various global issues. The group held an outdoor event called “Grasstonbury” that highlighted these topics with a variety of talks, stalls and workshops with focus on water conservation, climate change, creative recycling and energy consumption. Bands were invited to perform for the attendees and in order to minimize the energy use wind turbines were used to power the sound system. Another fun way that promoted alternate forms of energy was the Smoothie Bike Stand where tasty drinks were served up in a blender powered only by a person cycling. Grasstonbury was a great day out that was both fun and informative!

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ECO-Art & Design

Eco-Warriors: Our Action / The Reaction St Joseph’s College, Co. Dublin

Junior

The Eco Warriors researched the effect of human activity on the environment with three main aspects examined: Water, Energy and Transport. Based on these findings they decided to produce some storyboards which were made into short films and shown to inform their school mates. All of the materials used in these creative and colourful movie projects have been made from either reused items or other recycled sources. To further help spread the word the group at St Joseph’s created and distributed an eco-information pamphlet which encourages students, staff and the community to conserve energy and reduce the amount being wasted. This project has led to staff and students being more aware of energy conversation and the associated benefits.

Our Recycled Garden Patch

Bush Post Primary School, Co. Louth

Junior

The group at Bush Post Primary wanted to help enrich the school’s natural surroundings by building an environmental display box made from recycled goods. They designed a colourful environmental crest for their project and sourced materials only from disused wood and other discarded products. In order to add some foliage to their display, the group contacted a local gardener to give them advice on how to build and maintain a garden bed that could be lined with shrubs and bushes. The Bush school garden box is a project that not only allowed them to learn key team building and problems solving skills but has also given something to their school and community that can be allowed to grow and evolve of many years.

Titanic Recycled

Greenmount Youth Group, Co. Cork

Junior

This group took on a project of “titanic” proportions! The group at Greenmount wanted to create awareness on the issue of recycling by creating a work of art made entirely out of waste material. For research, the group visited recycling facilities in both their area and in Cork City to see what types of recycling serves were available to the public. They also invited the Cork City Council Parks Manager to come talk about litter issues and how recycling can reduce the amount of rubbish that is polluting the land and water. Feeling sufficiently knowledgeable on recycling and the material available, the group built their version of the “Titanic” made primarily from milk containers. This was a great way to make new connections in their community while inspiring their school colleagues to take on a recycling commitment.

Stanner Green Steps

Stanhope Secondary School, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

WasteMatchers

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This project was a fun and creative way to get people to consider the value of recycling. The group at Stanhope Secondary School came up with a series of recycling best practices called the “Stanner Green Steps” and wanted their ideas to reach people through a series of artist avenues. Some eye catching posters were made up to inform their peers and various art projects were constructed from rubbish to show the versatility of reused items. A stylish fashion exhibition was put on for the students made entirely out of reused materials and a theatrical play, based on their research into recycling, was written and performed by the group.

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Creative Recycling

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

The Teresian School, Co. Dublin

Senior

The objective of this project was to raise awareness and to encourage innovation and creative recycling. The group at the Teresian School targeted two everyday items that had potential to be repurposed: old clothes and used crayons. New and stylish outfits were designed by the students from donated clothing and a fashion show was put on to promote their ideas on recycling. A second item that the group had access to are bulk quantities of leftover crayons nubs. The group sorted them into different coloured piles, melted them into new moulds and proceeded to create new batches of crayons. Their hope is to repackage and sell their product as part of their fundraising campaigns for Teresian social projects in Peru, India and the Congo. This project showed that many of our everyday items can have a valuable “second life”.

Fashion Junkies

Presentation Secondary School, Co. Limerick

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The ‘Fashion Junkies’ wanted to highlight the importance of reducing waste and came up with some stylish and creative methods of doing so. The group was concerned about the overproduction of cotton and the associated water resource issues. They decided to experiment with recycled and reused material to create new outfits out of old. They looked at ways to combine unwanted clothing and with various “waste accessories” like electric cables, bottle-caps, curtains and bicycle tubes. To share their learning and engage with their peers the group put on a gala ‘Junk Couture Fashion Show’ where the group got to show off their elegant, handmade threads to an awed crowd.

ECO-Community Development

Raising Environmental Awareness Through Practical Action

Ramelton Community Youth Project, Co. Donegal

ECO-UNESCO Club

Junior

The Ramelton Treesome kids are all about community action and this project demonstrates that young people can play a leadership role through leading by example. They initiated a variety of community based beautification activities such as developing a youth run garden, planting trees and shrubs, and organizing litter cleanups. They also worked on a fun project called the “Doggy Doo Workshop” which surveyed problem areas in town where dog fouling was prevalent and worked on informing the public of their responsibility in preventing “dog doo”. This group are passionate about campaigning for the environment and they hope to continue to raise awareness on active citizenship.

Hats Off To The Environment

Blakestown Community School, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The aim of this project was to raise awareness on environmental issues within the school and local community. The group achieved this by creating large information boards and designing accompanying hats made from recycled materials, each based on one area of research such as water, energy, recycling, and climate change. They presented their projects to their fellow students in Blakestown Community School, the 6th year classes from the neighbouring primary school and also plan to hold an exhibition of their findings in their local library. This fun project succeeded in helping to frame environmental issues in a creative manner whilst demonstrating how wonderful art can be created using only recycled materials.

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Bridge Boys Renovation Project Ossory Youth Group, Co. Killenny

Senior

Renovating the public outdoor picnic tables in the community gardens in Goresbridge was this teams aim. They had been vandalised and they wanted to encourage more community ownership to generate a greater respect for the area. Along with sanding, painting and varnishing the picnic tables the participants decided to specially design and renovate a picnic table for use as a youth space. This entailed designing board games, such as snakes and ladders and ludo which were fixed on top of the bench once renovated. Along with the renovating, the Bridge Boys conducted a huge clean up of the community gardens and worked alongside Greenside Up to plant flowers, salads and renovate garden beds. When all benches are renovated and flowers and salads are grown, the group plans to host a community BBQ where they will showcase their work and serve the salads that they have growing.

Caring For Our Environment

Lanesboro Community College, Co. Longford

Senior

Lanesboro completed their project by inspiring others to care for the environment. They set about on a wide-ranging series of community based involvement dealing with water pollution, waste, and the importance of natural resources. The group examined pollution in the Shannon and looked at the effects it has on the river ecosystem and the people who utilize it. They also researched both the historical and current state of Irish bogs and of the advantages and disadvantages of using peat as a energy resource. Finally, they looked at the care system for the elderly and what would happen if we applied the same level of management for the environment. Overall, Lanesboro have succeeded in raising awareness through their involvement in conservation and the ‘Caring for Our Environment’.

Community Clean Up

Ballymun Regional Youth Resource, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNSECO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

In order to make a real difference in the lives of older people in their area this group decided to organise a cleanup in their community. They linked in with the Ballymun Tidy Towns and worked closely with residents on coming up with ways to beautify the neighbourhood. The group removed rubbish, washed windows for the residents and planted flowers and shrubs around people’s homes. In order to raise money to purchase needed supplies they put on a successful local disco. Not only have this group forged new relationships and helped build a sense of pride in their community, they’ve learned important networking, communication and team building skills.

Green Visions

GAP Ballymun, Global Action Plan, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The central aim of this project was the facilitation of the young participants to become eco-community leaders. This was achieved through various action projects ranging from seed bombing of derelict areas, carrying out surveys of young people’s opinions on environmental issues and producing a ‘Green Visions’ publication which informed agencies in the community of what the participants’ environmental concerns were. The group linked up with IKEA for World Environment Day which saw the group designing an eco-jewellery and graffiti poster made from reclaimed material. They also took part in IKEA’s “Pump It Up” day which involved improving the fuel efficiently and reducing C02 emissions of the visitor’s vehicles by optimising tire pressure. The project succeeded in developing leadership skills among the participants and promoted eco-community development in Ballymun.

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Green Fingers

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Presentation Secondary School , Co. Limerick

Senior

After contacting their local environment officer for possible clean up projects the group from Presentation Secondary brought some sparkle back to the local community hall at St. Xavier’s Parish. They set about picking up the accumulated rubbish as well as painting over the ugly graffiti that had built up over the years. To make it a more natural space, the group pulled weeds, planted daffodils, and installed window boxes with ferns and red berry bushes. They also contacted a local tree surgeon to help cut back some of the over grown trees and allow more sunlight to reach the area. To celebrate- their hard work the group held a party for the locals and made new connections with the residents of their community.

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Paint the Town Green

Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Co. Kerry Senior This group wanted to make Tralee a cleaner and greener place to live in. Certain parts of the town were lacking in community development and were showing signs of neglect. The group decided to paint, tidy, plant and clean up these derelict parts of town. The group gained important interpersonal skills in contacting members of the town council to get permission for the clean up. They also ran an anti-litter campaign in their school of 1300 pupils with hopes the students will pass on the message of being more environmentally conscious. The group also set up Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube accounts and are currently designing a ‘Green Map’ of the town which they hope to sell in local shops.

The River-Boys

Ennistymon Vocational School, Co. Clare

Senior

This group decided to highlight the beauty of the River Inagh by creating a walking path for the public. They contacted local business people as well as the Action Community Group for assistance in its implementation. They also began working on replacing the outdated riverside information board with concise and relevant discussions on the types of fish and wildlife in the region, a hardwood and softwood tree-spotter’s guide and a history of the Falls Hotel. They are currently in the process of installing benches made from recycled materials along the river and already have gained interest from local groups who are willing to sponsor their construction. On completion the River Boys hope to have a fully defined walkway that both locals and tourists can utilise and enjoy.

Working Toward a Better World

Loreto Secondary School Fermoy, Co. Cork

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The group at Loretto Secondary wanted to identify the age in which young people become aware of the importance of conserving the environment. They did this by creating a series of surveys for teachers and primary/ secondary school students and their findings suggested that children begin to understand the concept of environmental preservation between years 6 and 10. Knowing this, the group put together environmental packs

which consisted of stories, puzzles, games and a packet of seed to make learning about the environment more fun and engaging. In the future they hope to continue their work on an interactive eco-book and have copies available for use by teachers.

X-Hale Youth Forum

ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group

Senior

This group wanted to study the environmental, economical and social impacts of tobacco cultivation and usage by examining the lifecycle from source to waste. Their research led them to holding a youth forum at the Greenhouse to engage participants in discussion and action around smoking, youth and their community. In order for their work to reach the wider public, the forum had creative workshops which allowed the visiting groups to come up with anti-smoking posters to be placed in their communities. The Chief Executive of the Irish Cancer Society was also invited to further inform the youths on the risks and statistics surrounding continued tobacco usage. The X-Hale group feel their youth forum contributed important dialogue and understanding on this serious issue.

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ECO-Enterprise Clockwise

Laurel Hill Secondary School, Co. Limerick

Senior

This group from Laurel Hill Secondary School took on the ambitious challenge of starting their own eco-company called Clockwise. Their idea was to give a new life to disused and faulty CD’s by turning them into stylish, personalised clocks. They learned key marketing skills and promoted their project through various print and digital methods. They created posters and leaflets to advertise to the public and linked up to their school website and Facebook to report their progress to their school colleagues. They’re currently developing a business plan to target hotels and golf clubs with personalised clocks that can act as promotional material.

Trash For Trees

Cavan Youthreach, Co. Cavan

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The Cavan Youthreach Young Environmentalist Project Team were concerned with the lack of funding available for local environmental projects which they wanted to get involved in. They decided to start their own small eco-enterprise where their main focus would be on raising funds to support these types of projects. They encouraged the public to donate unwanted ‘end of life’ items such as clothing, shoes, mobile phones, CD’s and books etc and sold these items to various recycling companies, thus diverting these unused items from the landfill and making a profit. Any profit was then used to directly fund their other projects such as the ‘Tree Planting Power’ project. ECO-UNESCO Club

Energy Candle-Lit-Concert ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

St Kilian’s German School, Dublin

Senior

The group at St. Kilians were interested in researching the issues around energy usage and wanted to raise awareness on the importance of saving energy. To highlight the issue to their fellow students, they decided to hold an electricity free concert in their assembly hall with environmentally conscious songs composed specifically for the event. Instead of wasting paper to promote the aims of their project, the group felt that using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter would be more appropriate in spreading their message further. The money made from attendance of the “Candle Light Concert” is being put aside in hope to purchase solar panels for the school, thus lessening their costs and dependence from non-renewable energy sources.

Energy Savin’ Awareness Raisin’ St. Benildus College, Co. Dublin

Senior

The St Benildus College group wanted to promote energy conservation in the school and surrounding community by launching their “Energy Saving Inititive”. In order to gather data for their research, the students carried out an energy survey to find out how much their school colleagues knew about the subject of ‘energy conservation’. Using this information the group designed posters and flyers aimed at highlighting the importance of energy saving and promoting environmentally friendly modes of transport. They were fortunate enough to link up with LUAS, who offered the group sponsorship for printing their findings on flyers and posters. Each highlighted the importance of saving energy and provided information on how being aware of our usage can benefit the environment.

Lets Save Energy

Mercy College, Co. Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group were concerned about the amount of energy wastage that was occurring at Mercy College. Surveys were initiated of the staff and students which helped to identify the various views on energy use. To help come up with handy tips for reducing use, the NRG Girls contacted a local primary school who had recently achieved a Green Flag status for advice. They invited speakers from the County Council and ESB Sustainability to come to their school and help frame the various discussions on energy use. The group also linked up with the Jack and Jill foundation to collect unused phones for charity. This group has demonstrated a great level of interaction with their community in order to spread word on their cause.

Super Junior A Look at the Lough

Glasheen Boys National School, Co. Cork This group wanted to design an information sign for the Lough on the history and mythology of the area. Their work was a continuation of last year’s study on the beautiful and delicate ecosystem surrounding the Lough. The team identified a drab, old informational sign on the route that lacked any pictures or imagery and more generally was not engaging to the reader. They contacted and met with the Cork City Council Park’s Department to brainstorm ways in which they could make a better sign for the public and while the content is still being ironed out, its hope that the new sign will be in place by June.

Biodiversity & Community Compost Bin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Waterloo Community Group, Co. Cork

The Eco-Waterloo Warriors from Waterloo Community Group are committed to fighting litter wherever it appears! This group noticed that the roads and rivers of Waterloo are quite littered so they organised a big cleanup of these public amenities. They saw that the waste not only contained recyclables but also that a significant amount could be used as compostable material in their community garden. After contacting the Blarney Co. Council for permission, the group set about building a 16 foot long compost bin made from left over timber. They also organised four bins, made from left over political signs, to be put on the River Martin walkway and this only added to their haul of recyclables and compostable material. They designed signs to inform the public and conducted a survey to gauge the level of awareness in regard to waste in the community. WasteMatchers

Bio Eye

Seafield National School, Co. Waterford This group from Seafield decided to research and promote the awareness of mammals in their surrounding area. Aiding Mammals in a Sustainable Environment (MISE) was a non-invasive survey which they conducted of the school surroundings. Animals such as otters and bats were amongst those identified. From this a habitat map of these mammals was designed to indicate their findings. Along with this, bird and bat boxes were constructed and installed in an attempt to improve the habitat of the school grounds. This project was a great way to learn about the importance of preserving biodiversity in their local area and helped the team promote their findings to the wider public.

Going Batty

St. Mary’s Primary School, Co. Armagh The central aim of this project was to improve the biodiversity of the group’s school grounds and it was decided that a good way to do this was to make St. Mary’s Primary a haven for bats. The population of bats in Ireland is shrinking as a result of many factors, from pesticide use and the removal of hedgerows and woodland, to the development of new buildings and light pollution associated. This group decided to create a woodland area on the school grounds to see if they could encourage growth in the local bat population. They did this by planting flowers which attract the insects that bats feed on, as well as constructing a series of ‘bat boxes’. They hope to educate the wider community on the plight of bats and to encourage them to help by putting up their own bat box in their garden. ECO-UNESCO Club

Litter and Waste

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

St Patrick’s National School, Co. Westmeath

Junior

This year St Patrick’s have worked on the themes of Litter and Waste. They’ve have worked hard to reduce the amount of waste that makes it to the landfills by recycling and composting and have worked hard to keeping their school and grounds litter free. The Green Schools Committee have spread the environmental message throughout the greater community through newsletters and flyers highlighting their message of the “Three R’s”- reduce, reuse and recycle. To further contribute to the environmental cause, all classes have been actively involved in both community tree planting and bird feeding. St Patrick’s are united towards gaining their first Green Flag and as a result of this project their school has become all the more pleasant to teach and learn in.

Save Energy Save Money

Mullavilly Primary School, Co. Armagh

Junior

Mullavilly Primary is an established Eco-School holding three Green Flags and they are keen to share their expertise to support both schools and community. The groups worked on the topic of energy and carried out an audit of their school to see where usage reductions could be made. The team brainstormed ideas with invited members of the public and came up with eight simple guidelines which are easy to implement and will help manage energy efficiency and save money too! With their collective findings they produced the “Energy Saving Ideas” leaflet which will help reduce energy usage in both the school and home. We can all make a difference when it comes to saving energy.

ECO-UNESCO Club

The World is What We Make It St Eunan’s National School, Co. Donegal

ECO-UNESCO Club

Junior

The aim of this group’s project was to educate people about their responsibility towards the fight against climate change. The group at St Eunans set about an ambitious series of contributions to the community by promoting responsibility in regards to citizen’s actions. They promoted the use of alternative forms of transport and they offered cycle training. Added to this they helped to construct a bicycle shelter for their school. Along with this they are also building a library from donated books and have set up a mobile phone recycling bank. To share their various initiatives the group launched this initiative in the local newspapers and put on a photo exhibition of their journey. ECO-UNESCO Club

Wonderful Water

Carnaross National School, Co. Meath

Junior

This project sought to explore the beauty and importance of water in the lives of all living things. The group from Carnaross wanted to educate themselves regarding water shortages in the country and methods for conservation. Their findings led them to wanting to raise awareness in their homes, school and communities on how vital it is to conserve this natural resource. An ambitious action plan was drafted up detailing many water saving improvements that can be easily implemented in schools, homes or businesses. The group also got creative with composed songs and poems on water, worked on peer training with their schoolmates and invited speakers to further discuss issues surrounding water pollution and shortages. They feel that they have made a great contribution to their community with regard to dialogue on this subject. ECO-UNESCO Club

Transport The Effect of Iding of Car Engines

The Teresian School, Co. Dublin

Senior

The group at the Teresian School were concerned about climate change and how the burning of fossil fuels was contributing to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They decided to take action by raising awareness on the amount of CO2 and pollutants being emitted from idling car engines in their school car park. The group surveyed the volume of vehicles, both morning and afternoon which transport their school colleagues each day and they estimated that over 200kgs of carbon dioxide are needlessly emitted into the atmosphere each school year. They thought of ways to discourage car idling and the group settled on a school wide poster and flyering campaign. Over 200 entries were received demonstrating how passionate their school colleagues felt on this issue. This project has helped to reduce the school’s carbon footprint while also informing the public on the dangers of car exhaust to people and the environment.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Waste Renew-A-Fuel

Ballycastle High School, Co. Antrim

Junior

The Ballycastle High School team have collected and used waste oil from the food industry to produce a ‘green’ renewable bio fuel. A range of oils were tested for the group to evaluate which waste oil produced the greatest amount of energy per gram.During their research the team discovered they were also able to extract glycerine as a by product and further investigations lead the team to researching possible ways in which this glycerine by product could be utilised. Three different methods of cosmetics production were then tested from their findings. This group have taken a product from the food industry deemed as waste and used it to produce two environmentally friendly resources.

ECO-UNESCO ECO-UNSECO Club Club

Rosary Recycling Rascals

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Rosary College, Co. Dublin

Senior

The group at Rosary College wanted to examine ways in which to reduce the amount of waste that was making its way to the landfill from their school. A survey was implemented to identify problem areas for waste in the school and a plan was hatched to look at methods for waste reduction. Recycling bins were added in key locations and the kitchen staff were encouraged to try to reduce the amount of packaging used in student’s lunches. The group also wanted to come up with creative ways to deal with their collected waste. At Christmas they made decorations entirely out of their collections, using such varied items as light bulbs, pine cones, corks, and disused CD’s. These were sold at the annual Christmas Fair and the proceeds were given to charity. The stellar efforts of this group helped to change the way that the school treated waste and gave them a sense of pride for their combined actions.

The Big Tidy Up

Our Lady & St Patrick’s College, Co. Antrim

Senior

In order to tackle the issue of litter at Our Lady & St. Patrick’s College, the group researched, launched, and carried out an Anti-Litter Campaign and an environmental review. The students launched “Anti-Litter Week” where their peers were educated on the environmental issues surrounding litter and how each of us can play a part. Awareness was raised through designing displays, anti-litter t-shirts, and crazy masks and a survey was conducted, before and after the project, to measure the effectiveness of the campaign. In order to highlight how global this problem is, the group wanted to connect with other youths with similar concerns. They linked up with like minded schools in Croatia and Seattle, Washington, where ideas on litter prevention were shared and new relationships were forged.

Bins Not Fins

Mercy College, Mounthawk, Co. Kerry

St Joseph’s Summerhill, Co. Roscommon

Senior

This group chose to highlight and take action regarding the amount of litter polluting the oceans. Living so close to the water themselves, the group felt this was an issue that links many communities across the world. To spread their message they organised talks with the local primary schools and the cub scouts. They also made good use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube which connected them with other coastal people and communities from as far away as America and Australia. The local newspapers in Co Kerry published articles written by Bins Not Fins and the group also ran a poster campaign and organised a community beach cleanup with the support from Kerry County Council.

Heavy Metallers

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group decided to complete a project in the category of waste, focusing on waste management and recycling. The group collected scrap metal from their local area with the goal of recycling it appropriately.To raise awareness within the community and to aid in the collection of scrap metal, the group organised collection days that were held from October and then throughout the school year. The metal collected was stored in a shed donated kindly by the school caretaker and was then sent to Hammond Lane for recycling. The group achieved a greater appreciation of recycling and the importance of raising awareness through the development of this project.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Manage The Damage St Michael’s, Co. Armagh

Senior

The aim of this group’s project was to tackle the lack of recycling at St Michael’s Grammar School. In the past all the waste with exception of paper went into the landfill and the group worked to encourage recycling in the school. New bins were introduced that were clearly labelled to make staff and students aware of what to recycle. The school canteen was identified as being a key area in which their recycling drive should target and the pupils worked closely with the canteen staff to ensure that there was a reduction in outgoing waste. In order to further promote the issues around waste and its management they also displayed creative posters and information boards and all in all, the project was quite effective in helping to reduce the amount of rubbish at St. Michael’s.

Recycle Or Sink

Loreto High School Beaufort, Co. Dublin

Senior

The idea of this creative project was to enforce the correct usage of recycling bins in the Loreto High School. The group decided to create an eye catching structure with a message that would help raise awareness among their school colleagues. It was decided that a boat would be built, representing the protective natural world. The structure was made of out of recyclable materials and collected rubbish such as crisp packets and other food packaging was used to portray a wave of waste that threatens to tip the sailing vessel. The entire school community got involved by bringing in the supplies from their homes and this helped to raise awareness in students’ families. We’re drowning in a sea of waste and we need to “Recycle or Sink”!

Seaweed Project

East Cork Youthreach, Co. Cork

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

The group from East Cork Youthreach realised that the shore of this country is littered with an abundant and valuable resource: seaweed! They focused on collecting seaweed along the nearby seashore for use in their garden compost. They also provided this nitrogen rich material to the Link Gardens who grow rare vegetable for a local Michelin Star restaurant. They contacted their local council for permission to collect the seaweed and met with a local herbalist and horticulturist who instructed them as to the method of preparing seaweed for composting. The group also constructed washing and drying racks to prepare their “sea harvest”.

The 5 R’s

Salerno Secondary School, Co. Galway

Senior

This project began at the start of the school year with the whole school taking part to promote pride and tidiness in the new and old school buildings. A competition ‘the green league’ was then launched. The group introduced new recycling bins in each classroom while ensuring their use through the green league. The recycled articles collected in the bins were shredded, weaved, wetted, stained and dried to make bookmarks. A drying frame was constructed for the drying process of the bookmarks and then dried naturally using solar heat. A logo of a leaf within a circle was designed for the bookmark. The group attached seeds to the bookmarks with the hope the bookmarks would eventually be planted at the end of their life cycle.

Tidy Teens Take Over

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Daingean Junior Tidy Towns, Co. Offaly

Senior

Tidy Teens Take Over is all about waste management. This project focused on composting as a way to tackle the issue of organic waste going to landfill. They researched various methods for treating waste and found that composting is cheap, simple and improves the nutrient quality of soil. To raise awareness of their findings they decided to design and paint a graffiti wall which highlights the issues of waste management. They’ve also designed plans for their own sturdy compost bins which they hope to install in a local estate and are currently in the process of getting this project off the ground. A Facebook page was set up as well to share findings on local environmental issues and to demonstrate their commitment to composting. ECO-UNESCO Club

Waste Doesn’t Have to Be Ugly Youthreach Birr, Co. Offally

Senior

This group decided to reuse waste that would usually be discarded in order to create a bin. The bin was created with the aim of proving that rubbish can be appealing, even useful and to raise awareness of the issue of waste within the local community. The bin was made out of empty drinking cans that were collected by the employee of Youthreach Birr. They were painted and assembled to form the shape of a bin. This project was a great way to promoting recycling in the group’s community.

We Dig Worms

Presentation Secondary School, Co. Kerry

Senior

ECO-UNESCO Club

This fun project saw the group at Presentation Secondary researching the importance of worms to the ecological cycle. They decided to build a worm farm at their school to investigate worms’ role in breaking down matter and improving soil quality. They contacted their County Council environmental officer and also received good “worming advice” from local gardening groups. This project was promoted to classmates and the wider community through postering drives, social media and through the support of local radio stations and newspapers. The group hope they can make the public start to regard these slimy creatures as a valued natural resource.

Wormery Works

St Joseph’s Summerhill, Co. Roscommon

Senior

The group from St Joseph’s aimed to introduce a worm composting system in their school. Their project was used to reduce the amount of food waste leaving the school and to produce quality compost for the school’s organic garden. A wormery box and worms were purchased from a grant received from Roscommon County Council and this was set up in a suitable location within the school grounds. The group studied how worms break down organic matter and applied this learning in practice. Through this fun project, the group has now successfully produced their own compost for use in their garden and have gained important team building and problem solving skills in the process.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Water Fighting for the Environment Holy Trinity College, Co. Tyrone

Junior

The Holy Trinity River Warriors were set up with the objective of doing something to help their local environment. They decided to tackle the problem of litter in the local area and drafted up measures to help some of the wildlife in the area. They adopted a stretch of the Ballinderry River and completed litter tidy ups of this area and around the streets of Cookstown. They also erected bird and bat boxes along the river and had a great time building tiny homes for hedgehogs. Additionally, the group made connections with the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force Schools Project and have extended their fight to helping protect the marine environment as well.

Operation Rainwater

Clara Youthreach, Co. Offally

Senior

The aim of this project is to promote the conservation of water and make people more aware of how precious water is. The group at Clara Youthreach looked at various methods for saving water for use in their vegetable garden, from collecting excess sink flow to harvesting rain water. To implement their idea, they built and installed a water catchment system on the roof of their building and have designed plans for self-watering plant tables and a drip feed system in their polytunnel. The group also attended a workshop in their Youthreach centre on Sustainability, which taught them how they could conduct an energy audit of their centre. Key cooperation, problem solving and teambuilding skills were learned throughout this project and the group are satisfied to have seen their ideas come to fruition.

Stop the Pollution, Find a Solution

Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath

Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Co. Kerry

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group wanted to highlight the importance of keeping their environment clean by reducing pollution. One of the more pressing problems affecting their local area was the high bacterial count found in water supplies and domestic wells. The group from Moate visited local farms to learn about potential hazards in terms of uncontained run off from slurry, silage and toxic milk. With this knowledge the group created an action plan to encourage farmers to adapt their farming techniques and reduce waste runoff. They designed a brochure with the help of their local County Council to heighten awareness on this issue and came up with a set of good practices which could benefit the farming industry in regards to minimizing pollution risk.

Would You Pay For Poison

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group was concerned as to whether the local and national public water schemes were being held to acceptable standards. They looked at the methods of providing water to the public and took particular interested in the process of fluoridation, its benefits and proposed risks. Their findings concerned them so much they started a campaign to remove fluoride from the national water supply. To engage with the public they handed out flyers and posters in key areas in their town and reached out to radio and newspapers to help spread their message. The group attended meetings with the Tralee Transition Towns Movement and engaged in dialogue with their local County Council. A major highlight was the bringing of their protest to Dublin to demonstrate against fluoridation at the Dail in full Zombie garb! Rawr!

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012

Gold Funders The Department of Children and Youth Affairs focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people’s participation, research on children and young people, youth work and cross-cutting initiatives for children.

The National Development Plan (NDP) invests billions of funds to improve Ireland’s economic and social infrastructure, foster balanced regional development, promote social inclusion and sustain national economic and employment growth.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government promotes sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life in Ireland through protection of the environment and heritage, infrastructure provision, balanced regional development and good local government.

Silver Funders Environmental Protection Agency, protecting the Irish environment through licensing, enforcement and monitoring activities. Department of Transport is responsible for implementing an integrated transport policy that underpins Ireland’s sustainable development.

Bronze Sponsors

ECO-Den Sponsors Clare County Council Galway County Council Kerry County Council

Limerick County Council Longford County Council Mayo County Council

Meath County Council Roscommon County Council

Prize Sponsors & Other Supporters Other Sponsors: Dublin Food Co-Op

Venue Sponsors: Dublin City Council (The Round Room) The Mansion House (Oak Room) Claregalway Hotel Cork City Council (The Lifetime Lab) Craigavon Borough Council (Lough Neagh Discovery Centre)

Prize Sponsors: Delphi Adventure Centre Delta Force Frontier Paintballing Dublin Zoo Fallon & Byrne Kippure Estate Adventure Lush Cosmetics One Great Adventure Patagonia Rainforest Adventure Golf Universal Pictures Ireland

For more information contact: ECO-UNESCO, The Greenhouse 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2 Tel: +353 (0) 1 662 5491 Fax: +353 (01) 1 6625493 Email: yea@ecounesco.ie Web: www.ecounesco.ie

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ECO-UNESCO, The Greenhouse 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2 Tel: +353 (0) 1 662 5491 Fax: +353 (01) 1 6625493 Email: info@ecounesco.ie Web: www.ecounesco.ie

Join us online for latest news, photos, videos and more! ,swen tsetal rof enilno su nioJ

ECO-U NESCO Young Envi ron me nta lis t Aw ar d s 20 1 2 is su p p o rt e d b y : Gold Funders:

Silver Funders:

Bronze Sponsors: