Minister O’Gorman launches new Dublin Bay Biosphere awards

Gary Ibbotson 14 Jun 2021

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman TD, has launched the Dublin Bay Biosphere Award, a three-part programme designed to encourage children to explore and protect their local wildlife.

The awards were developed by Scouting Ireland and Dublin Bay Biosphere Partnership and children who successfully complete the programme will earn a badge which can be sown onto scout uniforms, school bags or clothing.

The Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere covers an area of over 300km2, from Howth to Killiney, with over 300,000 people living within its boundaries.

Biospheres are recognised for their internationally important wildlife, but are also places to be shared by people and nature.

Minister O’Gorman said: “The Biosphere Award encourages young people to experience and learn about nature, to appreciate its value and to take action to help to protect it for generations to come.

“This can be achieved through a range of activities including citizen science, nature conservation and awareness raising, making it open and inclusive for all”.

Colm Kavanagh, Programme Development Officer for scouting Ireland said: “The biosphere is a place where people can connect with nature and it opens up exciting possibilities for young people to experience, engage and undertake action to care for and preserve.

“Scouting Ireland is delighted to work in partnership with Dublin Bay Biosphere to provide an action based badge that everyone, Scouts and the general public, can earn in recognition of their actions to protect and preserve this special place,” he said.

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