Cork schools invited to nominate their nature heroes  

Cork minister, Christopher O’Sullivan was on hand this week to launch the Nature Hero Awards, which are now open for applications for 2026.

The Nature Hero Awards are the largest outdoor learning awards for schools in Ireland, involving thousands of students across pre, primary and secondary levels annually.

The awards aim to create an educational space that nurtures a love for nature, develops a knowledge of biodiversity and encourages action to help development at grassroots level.

A prize fund of €10,000 is up for grabs, split between the top performing schools to upgrade their gardens.

The awards are also a mark of excellence for schools and recognise the work by young students and teachers to help nature.

Achievement

Three levels of achievement are available for participating schools. They include bronze badger, silver stag and golden eagle, each of which is marked with a sustainably made Irish wooden ‘Nature Hero’ plaque.

Mr O’Sullivan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, said that the Nature Hero Awards play a strong role “in developing children’s knowledge of biodiversity, encouraging an awareness and love of nature among the schoolchildren who will become the guardians of Ireland’s biodiversity.”

“I applaud all of the students who are helping to create meaningful change by participating in Nature Hero projects in schools all over Ireland, making a tangible contribution to our country’s biodiversity future.”

The Nature Hero Awards are co-ordinated by Biodiversity in Schools and in partnership with Irish home builders Glenveagh.

Mark Nolan, CEO and founder of Biodiversity in Schools, siad they were looking forward to working with schools to increase their knowledge of biodiversity in a fun and collaborative environment.

For more on the Nature Hero Awards, visit https://www.biodiversityinschools.com/nature-hero-awards.