Seventeen schools across Galway have been chosen to participate in this year’s Pollinator Project 2025, Ireland’s largest and longest-running pollinator education initiative.
The project, a collaboration between Biodiversity in Schools and SIRO, Ireland's 100 per cent fibre broadband provider, aims to train the next generation of young pollinator ambassadors who will help protect Ireland’s bee populations.
Each participating school will receive a pollinator kit packed with essential resources, including wildflower seeds, habitat creation tools, in-depth information on pollinators, lesson plans and, in addition, access to specialist biodiversity workshops.
The list of schools selected in Galway to participate in this year’s project includes: Ardscoil Mhuire Ballinasloe, Kilcoona National School, St Brigid's College, Claregalway Educate Together, Scoil Chuimin agus Caitriona, Oughterard, Maree National School, Athenry Primary School, Galway Educate Together Secondary School, Scoil Iosa Campus 2, Gort Community School, Youthreach Portumna, Cairde Childcare Center, Colaiste Bhaile Chlair, St Augustines Clontuskert National School, Galvin Home School, and Moyglass National School.
Pollinators are essential to Ireland’s food production and biodiversity, with 78 per cent of wild plants relying on insect pollination. Yet many pollinators, including half of Ireland’s native bee species, are in decline due to habitat loss and lack of nesting sites. Through youth education and community involvement, the Pollinator Project empowers young people to take meaningful action and create pollinator-friendly spaces in their schools and communities.
This year, the Pollinator Project will train 9,000 new young ambassadors overall, empowering them to take real action to protect Ireland’s bees and pollinators. Since the programme’s launch in 2023, more than 24,000 schoolchildren have been trained as pollinator ambassadors, helping to create bee-friendly spaces in schools and communities nationwide. Overall, this year’s project will engage an estimated 75,000 students across Ireland.
Schools across Ireland are invited to take the pollinator pledge. By doing so, schools pledge to dedicate a section of their grounds to becoming a no-mow meadow. Those who take the pledge will receive formal certification from Biodiversity in Schools, access to educational worksheets, and an invitation to exclusive online classroom training. Schools can sign up until June 30, 2025, contributing to a growing national network of pollinator-friendly spaces.
For schools that want to showcase the initiatives they have taken to create pollinator-friendly school environments, there is also the opportunity to compete for the Gold Bee 2025 Award. To enter, schools must share what actions they have taken to support pollinators at their school on social media channels or directly by email to Biodiversity in Schools. One winning school will be awarded the Gold Bee Trophy and a biodiversity hamper worth €1,000. Entries close at 12pm on May 30, 2025. More details about the competition and how to win can be found on the Biodiversity in Schools website, www.biodiversityinschools.com
