Nurturing biodiversity at a young age
Biodiversity in Schools Nature Hero Awards with Glenveagh launched
Healthy ecosystems are key to our environment and nurturing an interest in biodiversity at a young age is crucial in making sure that we can continue to preserve local flora and fauna. The annual Nature Hero Awards, coordinated by Biodiversity in Schools and in partnership with Glenveagh, plays a pivotal role in developing this interest among thousands of schoolchildren each year.
The Nature Hero Awards are Ireland’s largest outdoor learning awards across the education sector. They aim to create an educational space that nurtures a love for nature, develops a knowledge of biodiversity and encourages action to help its development at grassroots level. The awards are a mark of excellence for schools and recognise the exceptional work by young students and teachers to help nature.
Open to pre, primary and secondary level schools across the Republic of Ireland, the Nature Hero Awards are focused on participation and strengthening relationships with nature. Three levels of achievement are available, including Bronze Badger, Silver Stag and Golden Eagle, each of which is marked with a sustainably made Irish wooden Nature Hero plaque.
All schools receive a digital participation certificate and this year new prize funds are available for winning and participating schools, including a prize fund of up to €10,000, split between the top performing schools to upgrade their gardens.
Earlier this year, Biodiversity in Schools and Glenveagh announced that local Meath school, Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh in Ráth Chairn, were named the winner of the 2024/2025 Nature Hero Awards.
Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh competed with over 300 schools in 26 counties, representing 93,324 children from pre-school to senior cycle, to win a school garden makeover worth €10,000. Their commitment to enhancing the biodiversity in their surrounding area benefitted a range of species, from frogs to owls and pollinators, and also included the implementation of a strong eco-literacy programme for teachers and students.
Six schools in Meath were recipients of the 2025 Nature Hero Awards, an increase of one from 2024. Meath ranks third overall in most schools awarded in 2025, following eight schools recognised in Cork and 10 schools awarded in Dublin.
The importance of biodiversity is paramount in maintaining a diverse environment in local communities. Glenveagh strives to build more than just homes, but to build prosperous communities and one way that it supports this is through partnerships such as the Nature Hero Awards sponsorship with Biodiversity in Schools.
The homebuilder is committed to developing sustainable communities. In every step of the journey to create homes and communities, from planning to post-sales, Glenveagh is centred on driving efficiency, innovation, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting biodiversity.
At each new development, Glenveagh actions several ways to support biodiversity. This includes sowing native wildflower seeds in natural spaces, empowering communities through regular Planting Days with residents and continually striving to improve Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals among its communities.
The 2025/2026 Nature Hero Awards are officially open for entries from all schools across the Republic of Ireland. The new awards include several changes based on previous feedback, including a simpler application form and a guide booklet. Photo submissions are also no longer required and have been replaced with a short walkthrough video.
A new training webinar series is also available for teachers, with a sponsorship programme available to connect applying schools with potential sponsors. The entry deadline has also been extended by an extra eight weeks to May 29 2026 with winners announced in September 2026.