THE kids of Ballyowen Meadows Special School in Dun Laoghaire have been taking part in an exciting new nature programme.
Bord na Móna, one of Ireland’s most iconic brands, is celebrating the success of its Eco Rangers schools programme.
A record number of 200 schools and over 20,000 children have participated in the programme to date, which is now into its second successful year on the primary school education syllabus.
Eco Rangers, facilitated by Real Nation, aims to reconnect children with nature and teaches them the importance of protecting nature through a series of educational and fun elements.
Teachers are provided with all the tools they need such as teachers’ packs, lesson plans and games.
This enables classes to embark on Eco Safaris where they can map out nature trails, look at and investigate flora and fauna, take photos or draw pictures and document what they see.
Children are encouraged to creatively connect with nature with each school developing their own bespoke nature table.
Commenting on the initiative, Orla Kane Strategy Planning, Corporate Social Responsibility and Marketing Manager at Bord na Móna said: “At Bord na Móna, our ethos focuses on being more naturally driven to provide a sustainable future.
Through the Eco Rangers programmes we’re able to get down to a grass roots level by encouraging children to reconnect with nature and recognise the importance of protecting our land.
“It’s essential that we all try our best to conserve resources. Through Eco Rangers, children will not only learn how to conserve it but they will also learn about different habitats and ecosystems and recognise the importance of protecting them to eventually become Guardians of the Land.
“We’re delighted to say that while the emphasis is on schools to participate in Eco Rangers, the programme can also be used by the children with their families in their local communities around Ireland.”
Ballyowen Meadows Special School in Dun Laoghaire have had huge successes with the Eco Rangers programme.
Teacher Louise Kennedy said: “The pupils have greatly enjoyed participating in the Eco Rangers programme.
“It provided an engaging and active learning opportunity which enabled the pupils to seek out and identify wildlife within our school grounds and local area.
“They had fun working together in lessons and developed their appreciation of our natural environment.”
Eco Rangers is suitable for all primary school classes from junior infants through to sixth class.
Pupils can learn at their own level so is ideal for mixed ability groups.
For more information see www.bordnamona.ie