Author Archives: flang

Green Flag Award Ceremony!

St Brigid’s Green school representatives went to the Helix to attend the Green Flag Award ceremony.

We were delighted to be receive a certificate and awarded our 5th flag for Biodiversity.

Well done and thank you to everyone who made it happen.

Great News!!!

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An Taisce has great pleasure in informing you that your application for the International Green Flag Award has been………….

                       successful!

In other words, we got our Green Flag for Biodiversity!

Congratulations to all the students and staff for all your hard work on Biodiversity.

A BIG thank you and well done to all the Green Schools committee, Ms. Breen, Ms. Beausang  and Ms. Carwood.

The Green Flag award ceremony will take place on May 20th. More details to follow.

National Tree Week!

Photo Credit: RainerSchuetz via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: RainerSchuetz via Compfight cc

 

It’s National Tree Week or Seachtain Náisiúnta na gCrann from 2nd – 8th March.

Coillte logoEvents are organised by The Tree Council of Ireland and include:

• Lots of free Tree walks
• Tree planting
• Music about Trees
• Poetry about Trees
• Paintings about Trees
• Stories about Trees
• Lectures about Trees
• Laughs about Trees

 

For more information go to www.treecouncil.ie.

Well done!

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Well done to all the staff, students and everyone on the Green Team for all your hard work on the Biodiversity theme.

Our Green schools inspector “was very impressed with the amount of knowledge and work displayed by the kids”.

Why do we need Biodiversity?

Everyone is talking about Biodiversity in Saint Brigids!

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We know that it’s all about the variety in nature and our environment and that it includes every living thing.

But why is it important to us?

It is important for our health and the health of our planet.

 

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It provides us with:

  • Air
  • Clean water
  • Food
  • Medicine
  • Clothes
  • Pollination
  • Pest control
  • Soils formation and protection
  • Nutrient storage and recycling
  • Pollution breakdown and absorption
  • Contribution to climate stability
  • Maintenance of ecosystems

 

Can you think of anything else?

Threats to Biodiversity!

 

Biodiversity is important to us because it supplies Ecosystem services like clean air, clean water, food, textiles and medicines.

But loss of biodiversity is happening all over the world. Losing a species can have a huge impact on other plants and animals that might depend on it and this is turn affects other habitats and species.

 

 Threats to biodiversity are mainly caused by:

 

Pollution

Photo Credit: A guy with A camera via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: A guy with A camera via Compfight cc

Pollution is caused by the introduction of contaminants into an environment that cause adverse change and affect the species and habitats within that environment. Different forms of pollution are water pollution caused by chemicals or sewage or air pollution caused by toxic fumes.

Example: In Ireland the Pearl Mussel is affected by polluted rivers.

 

Litter

 

Photo Credit: NixBC via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: NixBC via Compfight cc

 

Litter can harm or even kill our wildlife. Dumping litter and landfills seriously damage our habitats and ecosystems.

Example: Peanut the Turtle (see post here ).

 

Invasive Species

 

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

 

Invasive or introduced species are species that have been introduced into an environment or ecosystem that is not native to them. They then compete with native species for food, habitats and resources.

Example: Rhododenron is an introduced species which grows very densely in our woodlands. This means that it blocks out the light and other native plants cannot grow. By doing this it affects the biodiversity of our woodlands.

 

Over- harvesting and over-hunting for food, fashion and medical purposes has caused significant reduction in species and endangers many more e.g. the snow leopard is hunted for its fur. In Ireland, overfishing of the cod has reduced stocks around our shores.

 

Snow leopard

Snow leopard

 

Habitat loss is a very important cause of species extinction. Cutting down forests and hedgerows to provide agricultural land has resulted in loss of habitats.  The loss of tropical forests, which holds 50% of the world’s biodiversity is proving to be the most significant threat to species.

An example in Ireland is the hare. It’s habitat has been disturbed by intensive farming methods.

 

Photo Credit: Jami Dwyer via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: Jami Dwyer via Compfight cc

Climate Change

Photo Credit: Foto Martien via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: Foto Martien via Compfight cc

 

If air or sea temperature changes, even by just 1 or 2 degrees, the habitats in which species live will also change and may even become uninhabitable to some species.

Climate change in Ireland has resulted in more rainfall and flooding which affects habitats and species.

 

Some of Ireland’s diverse plants and animals are under threat because:

  • Many local species depend on woodland to survive – but Ireland has now only 10% forest cover.
  • Our coast is under pressure from property development, litter, pollution and over use by humans.
  • Bogs are disappearing with the increased use of peat as a fuel.
  • Hedges and the wildlife that live or use them are in danger  from farmers clearing land.
  • Intensive farming results in loss of biodiversity.
  • Changes in habitats are also affecting bumblebees. For example grasslands support an enormous variety of species so cutting them results in loss of biodiversity.
  • Changes in farming practice and the increasing use of pesticides are having a negative effect on our wildlife and their environment.
  • Ireland’s changing climate has resulted in the decreasing numbers of species e.g. Dunlin (an Arctic breeding wading bird) and the Arctic Char (salmonoid fish).

 

But don’t despair! Education is the key to teaching everyone about biodiversity and how to protect it.

Have you seen what the Green Team and our school has done to protect and increase biodiversity in our own school grounds?

Have a look at the following pages:

We are all learning so much and we have the results to prove it!

So well done! Keep up the good work and stay green 🙂

 

 

Green Schools in the school newsletter!

The Green Schools got a great write-up in the school newsletter.

We wanted to let all the students and their parents know about all the hard working the whole school has been doing for our Fifth green flag on Biodiversity.

 

If you haven’t seen a copy have a look at the pages below or go to www.saintbridgetsgreystones.ie.

Good luck to everyone with the Green school evaluation on Thursday 27th February !

 

 

 

Gardening Club get the School Garden ready for Spring!

Greenwave – signs of Spring

 

Swallows

Swallows

All primary schools across Ireland have been asked to get involved with Greenwave 2014 .

Greenwave is a science project for primary students to observe and track the arrival of spring as it moves across the country.

Species you are asked to look out for are:

  • Frog spawn
  • Swallow
  • Hawthorn
  • Horse Chestnut
  • Ash

You can download your Spotter guides here.

From the Archives: What makes Greystones South Beach a Blue Flag Beach?

Ms.  Teehan’s 3rd class are going to do a project our local Blue Flag beach. We are looking forward to seeing what they find out.

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Here are some interesting facts:

Beaches are awarded the Blue Flag based on the following:

1) Environmental Education and Information must be provided so that the community can learn what plants and wildlife can be seen in the area.

2) Water Quality – the water must clean with no waste or sewage.

3) Environmental Management – the beach must be litter-free with limited access to dogs and domestic animals. There must be good facilities to allow everyone to access the beach.

4) Safety and Services – there must be lifeguard on duty and first aid available.

 

Greystones South Beach

Greystones South Beach

All Blue Flags are awarded for one season at a time.

If the criteria are not fulfilled during the season or the conditions change, the Blue Flag may be withdrawn.

How can you help?

National Spring Clean with Tidy Towns

National Spring Clean with Tidy Towns

 

Useful Sites:

www.blueflagireland.org

www.cleancoastsireland.org

www.greystonestidy towns.ie

National Spring Clean with Tidy Towns of Greystones Beach

Green schools committee and Tidy towns day out at the beach!

http://www.nationalspringclean.org

Snow Leopard Project Competition Winners!

The whole school took part in our Snow Leopard Project competition.

We were amazed at all the fabulous projects. Everybody worked so hard and did a great job.

The Green team found it very difficult to choose a winner so we had a chat with Brigid the Bee to see what she thought.

Brigid discussed it with Qiemo and ……

 

Brigid talked to Qiemo

Brigid talked to Qiemo

 

They decided on the following winners:

 

Congratulations to the winners!

 

Snow leopard Project winners

Snow leopard Project winners

 

 

Biodiversity Awareness Survey Results

Look how well we have done!

Here are the whole school’s results of our Biodiversity awareness surveys from 2012 and 2014.

A big thank you to Ms. Caffrey’s 6th class who analysed the results and created the pie charts. Well done!

Please click on the link below to view details of the pie charts or go to this page

pie charts whole school

 

Protected Areas near our School

Wicklow is also known as The Garden of Ireland because it is surrounded by beautiful countryside with scenic mountains and lakes and it is also by the sea. Because of all this natural beauty in Wicklow we have a lot of Special Areas of Protection (SPAs) and Special Conservation Areas (SACs). (Go to this post for more information). Greystones in particular has a lot of protected sites nearby. Have a look at the map below to see what sites are near you.

Thanks to Dave Farrell in NPWS for creating this map

Thanks to Dave Farrell in NPWS for creating this map

 

Here are just a few of special protected sites the Green team found:

Bray Head is a SAC because of its vegetated sea cliffs and dry heaths

 

Photo Credit: A guy called John via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: A guy called John via Compfight cc

 

Kilcoole Beach/The Murrough Wetlands is a SAC because of its salty meadows and fens. It is also a SPA because it is home to protected birds like the Little Tern (see photo below) and the Red-throated Diver.

 

Photo Credit: mikieconn via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: mikieconn via Compfight cc

 

Knocksink Wood is a Nature Reserve and a SAC because this woodland is home to rare plants and insects.

 

Photo Credit: Wendy: via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: Wendy: via Compfight cc

 

Wicklow Mountain National Park is a SPA and SAC due to the variety of habitats and wildlife found there.

 

Photo Credit: coollessons2004 via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: coollessons2004 via Compfight cc

Other protected sites nearby are:

  • Wicklow Reef
  • Wicklow Head
  • Glen Of the Downs
  • Poulaphoca Reservoir

Do you know of any more??

 

 

 

Aliens in Ireland!

 

Aliens or Invasive Species are plants or animals that are not native to Ireland. They were usually introduced or brought into the country as gifts. They have no natural predators in Ireland which means that their numbers can increase and so they can multiply and spread over the country. Invasion of non-native or alien species are a major threat to biodiversity. Habitats can be affected, conservation damaged and the health of native plants and animals may also be threatened.

Examples of Introduced Species are:

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrel

Grey squirrels were brought into the country in the early 1900s as a wedding gift. They escaped and spread rapidly over the entire country. They are stronger than our own native Red Squirrel and so took over their territories and pushed them out of their habitats. They also eat the same food as the red squirrel and that is why the red squirrel population has declined. Grey squirrels are also known to carry the Parapox virus which can be fatal to red squirrels. They can also cause damage to trees by stripping off the bark which causes the trees to die.

 

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a beautiful plant that was introduced into Ireland in 1800s. It grows very rapidly and if not kept in check it will spread very fast. Rhododendron has been the cause of  reduced biodiversity in our native woodlands because it grows so densely that it blocks out the light so other plants cannot grow. It also spreads it’s roots so there is no space or food for other trees and plants.

 

Sika Deer

Sika Deer

Sika Deer

 

 

Sika deer are Japanese deer that were introduced into Powerscourt in County Wicklow in the late 1800’s. They escaped and spread all over Wicklow. They are smaller than the native Irish Red deer and were able to use habitats that the red deer couldn’t. As their number grew, they started to interbreed with the red deer to produce Red/Sika hybrids (that is they are a mixture of red and sika deer). Scientists think that there are no true native Red deer left in County Wicklow. This is an example of how an alien species can affect the gene pool of a native species.

Zebra Mussel

 

Zebra mussels were introduced into Ireland in the mid to late 1990s. It is believed that came in on the bottom of a boat from another country. The zebra mussel attaches to hard surfaces using byssal threads. They have caused the population decline of native mussels by attaching to and colonising their shells. They also effect nutrient cycles by reducing the amount of phytoplankton and zooplankton and this in turn affects the water clarity and fish and plant populations

 

 

 

 

 

Calling all Gardeners!

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It’s time to get the school garden ready for Spring. So grab your gloves and trowels for our Gardening Day.

We’ll be sowing seeds, planting flowers and vegetables and generally tidying up our window boxes, flower pots and raised beds.

Parents, minders, grandparents and anyone with green fingers are all welcome.

Day: Monday 3rd February

Time: 1:40pm

Meet: The big yard

Supervision: Little ones will be looked after in one of the classrooms.

Please note if its raining we will reschedule to Wednesday 5th February .

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Protected Areas in County Wicklow!

Map of County Wicklow

Map of County Wicklow

 

To prevent loss of biodiversity, it is important to conserve habitats and species. The NPWS (National Parks & Wildlife Service) is responsible for designating and conserving protected areas in Ireland. They are required to do this under European and National laws. The NPWS works with landowners and users to try and achieve the best balance between land-use and conserving nature.

Here is a list of  the types of special areas that are protected and examples of them found in County Wicklow:

A Nature Reserve  is an area of importance to wildlife, which is protected under Ministerial order.  Most are owned by the State.

Nature Reserves in County Wicklow:

  • Deputy’s Pass
  • Glendalough
  • Glenealo Valley
  • Glen of the Downs
  • Knocksink Woods
  • Vale of Clara

 

A Natural Heritage Area (NHA) is an area considered important for the habitats present or which holds species of plants and animals whose habitat needs protection e.g. Raised and Blanket Bogs in the midlands and West of Ireland.

There are no NHAs in County Wicklow.

A Special Protection Area (SPA) is an area of land, water or sea which has been identified as being of international importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds found within the European Union.

SPAs in County Wicklow:

  • Kilcoole Marshes
  • Broad Lough
  • Poulaphouca reservoir
  • Wicklow mountains
  • Wicklow Head

A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is an area which has been given special protection under the European Union’s Habitats Directive. SACs provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world’s biodiversity.

SACs in County Wicklow:

  • Ballyman Glen
  • Bray Head
  • Buckroney-Brittas Dunes and Fen
  • Carriggower Bog
  • Vale of Clara (Rathdrum Wood)
  • Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve
  • Glen of the Downs
  • Holdenstown Bog
  • Knocksink Wood
  • Knockacoller Bog
  • Magherabeg Dunes
  • The Murrough Wetlands
  • Wicklow Mountains
  • Wicklow Reef

For a detailed map of SPAs and SACs in County Wicklow please visit this site 

For more information on protected areas in Ireland go to www.npws.ie and www.heritagecouncil.ie.

Extinct and Endangered species in Ireland!

It’s not only Snow Leopards that are endangered or on the verge of extinction. There are a lot of plants and animals closer to home in Ireland that need to be protected too.

Have a look at the lists below.

 

Irish Species that have become extinct:

Birds

 

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

 

  • White-tailed or sea eagle ( Currently NPWS are trying to reintroduce this species).
  • Golden Eagle (Reintroduced recently)
  • Capercaillie
  • The Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Corn Bunting

 

Mammals

 

Giant Deer

Giant Deer

 

  • Giant Irish Deer
  • Wolf
  • Brown Bear
  • Wild Boar

Plants

 

Pheasant's Eye

Pheasant’s Eye

  • Pheasant’s-eye (Adonis annua)
  • Corncockle Agrostemma githago
  • Corn Chamomile Anthemis arvensis
  • Arctic Sandwort Arenaria norvegica subsp. norvegica
  • Purple Spurge Euphorbia peplis
  • Sea Stock Matthiola sinuata
  • Shepherd’s-needle Scandix pecten-veneris
  • Rannoch-rush Scheuchzeria palustris
  • Saw-wort Serratula tinctoria
  • Club Sedge Carex buxbaumii
  • Scaly Buckler-fern Dryopteris remota


PROTECTED Or ENDANGERED SPECIES

 

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

 

  • Otter
  • Irish Hare
  • Red Squirrel
  • All Bat species
  • Natterjack toad.
  • Fresh Water Pearl Mussel
  • Kerry Slug

Birds

 

Corncrake

Corncrake

 

  • Hen harrier
  • Grey partridge
  • Corncrake
  • Barn Owl
  • Yellowhammer
  • Black-necked Grebe
  • Common Scoter
  • Red Grouse
  • Quail
  • Lapwing
  • Curlew
  • Red-necked Phalarope
  • Roseate Tern
  • Little Tern
  • Nightjar
  • Ring Ouzel
  • Chough
  • Twite
  • Corn Bunting

 

Plants

 

Meadow  Saffron

Meadow Saffron

 

  • Meadow Saffron
  • Divided Sedge
  • Serrated Wintergreen
  • Cottonweed
  • Rough Poppy
  • Meadow Saxifrage
  • Marsh Saxifrage

 

 

A new species in our School garden!

You may have noticed that The Green Team planted an Apple Tree in our school garden.

But there is something extra special about our apple tree!

We decided that since space is limited in our school grounds that we would get a special type of Apple tree. It’s a miniature Apple tree so it takes up less space but that’s not what is so special about it. You see it is two apple trees graphed together. This mean two different types of apple tree are stuck together or grafted on to each other which makes two trees in one. The two species are Elstar (which produces red apples) and James Grieve (which produces yellow apples).

Did you know that for an apple tree to bear fruit( i.e apples) you need two apples trees to cross-pollinate with each other. We don’t have the space for two trees so we bought this tree. The great thing about this is that not only will the different apple trees cross-pollinate with each other to make apples but we will get two different types of apples. So more apples for the birds  and insects and for us!

The apples will fruit in Autumn. Bags the first one!

Meet ‘Qiemo’ our Snow Leopard!

Qiemo

Qiemo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The adoption papers have arrived and St. Brigid’s have now officially adopted Qiemo (pronounced Kee-mo) the snow leopard.

To celebrate our new adoption we are having a competition! All classes have been asked to do a project on the Snow Leopard and the winning entry will win a Free Day Pass to Dublin Zoo. Good luck everyone!

 

To find out more information about Qiemo go to http://www.dublinzoo.ie/Animals/Snow-Leopard/9-3-6/Snow-Leopard.aspx

 

 

 

Map of Dublin Zoo

Map of Dublin Zoo

If you are visiting Dublin Zoo have a look out for Qiemo near the Asian Forests (area 4 on the map).

Interesting Facts about Snow Leopards!

 

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St. Brigid’s  has adopted a Snow Leopard and the whole school is learning all about them.

Here are a few interesting facts:

  • The Scientific name for a snow leopard is Unica unica.
  • The male  is called a leopard, the female is called a leopardess and the baby is called a cub.
  • Snow Leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia including the Himalayan Mountains in the countries of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, China Afghanistan and Russia.
  • They are carnivores which means they eat meat. They will hunt prey up to three times the size of their own body weight. They like to eat blue sheep and mountain ibex.  They will also eat wild sheep and goats, birds and other small animals.
  • Snow leopards have light green or gray eyes, unusual for big cats, who usually have yellow or gold eyes.
  • They vary in color from cream to a pale yellow, light tan or light grey color. They have rosettes which are rose-like shaped spots. These spots can range in color from dark grey to black and are smaller on their head, legs and tail and larger on their body. No two snow leopards have the same rosette pattern. This pattern helps to camouflage them from their prey.
  • Snow Leopards weight between 60-120 pounds. They have thick fur to keep them warm in their cold climate. They have very large paws that are covered in fur and act as snowshoes and keep them from sinking into the snow. 
  • They are about 2 feet tall from paw to shoulder and are 3 feet-4.5 feet long not including their tail. Their tails are 2.5 feet to 3.5 feet long and are long, thick and flexible to help them keep balance. Their tails also stores fat to keep them warm. When snow leopards are sleeping they wrap their tails around their bodies like a blanket.
  • Snow Leopards can jump up to 50 ft. They can run at speeds between 40-50 miles per hour but only for a short distance.
  • Snow Leopards a solitary animals meaning they like to live alone. They use urine to mark their territories and attract mates.
  • Snow Leopards cannot roar but they make other sounds such as growling, chuffing, hissing and meowing.
  • They are mammals. A mother snow leopard gives birth to 2-3 cubs. Cubs are born helpless and blind. They begin to see after 7 days. Cubs live with their mothers for up to two years before going off to live alone.
  • Snow leopards are an endangered species. Estimated numbers in the wild range from 3,500 – 7,000. Humans are the major threat to the snow leopard species. Poachers (illegal hunters) kill snow leopards for their thick fur and bones to use in cultural medicines. Loss of habitat also contributes to the decline in snow leopard populations.

 

Snow Leopard cub

Snow Leopard cub

 

Biodiversity Awareness Survey – take 2!

It’s time for the Biodiversity Awareness survey!

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As some of you may remember, last year we asked everyone from 1st to 6th class and all the staff to fill out our Biodiversity awareness survey. This is part of our Green school application for our Biodiversity flag. The aim of this survey was to assess how much our school knew about Biodiversity, why it is important, what threatens it and what we as a school can do to protect and increase it in our local environment.

Most of you should now have received your survey for this year. Please complete them and hand them in by Friday at the latest.

Why do we have to fill in another survey?

Well we need to establish whether the school has learnt anything about Biodiversity since we started our new theme back in 2012. We then compare the results from last year with the results from this year and hopefully show an increase in our awareness of Biodiversity and our environment.

So stay tuned to see what our analysis and results show. We know everyone has been working really hard on Biodiversity so we are looking toward to seeing a good increase in awareness.

To see a copy of the survey go to: stbrigidsgreenschools.edublogs.org/biodiversity-2/biodiversity-awareness-survey/

Ireland’s National Parks!

National Parks in Ireland

National Parks in Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that it’s not only animals and plants that are protected as part of  conserving Biodiversity? Certain areas of land are protected too. These are called National Parks.

A National Park is an area that is protected because of it’s beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. It is a public space maintained by the government to preserve nature, history or science.

National Parks help to conserve species and their habitats and protect biodiversity.

Ireland has 6 National Parks:

  1. Wicklow Mountains National Park (www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie)
  2. Killarney National Park (www.killarneynationalpark.ie)
  3. The Burren (www.theburrennationalpark.ie)
  4. Connemara National Park (www.connemaranationalpark.ie)
  5. Ballycroy National Park (www.ballycroynationalpark.ie)
  6. Glenveagh National Park (www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie)

 

Have you visited any of our National Parks?

We have adopted an Endangered Species!

Welcome back and Happy new year to everyone!

There was great excitement at the first Green schools committee meeting of 2014.

Based on our Biodiversity Green Code

‘Don’t let species go extinct, in this world we are all linked’

we decided to adopt an endangered species. An endangered animal is an animal which is not surviving in large numbers because humans are either killing too many of them or we are spoiling the places/habitats where those animals live.

We heard that Dublin Zoo do great work with conservation and protection of endangered animals so we decided to adopt an animal through them.

We had nine animals to choose from:

  • West Lowland Gorilla
  • Snow Leopard
  • Californian Sea Lion
  • Giraffe
  • Amur Tiger
  • Chimpanzee
  • White Rhino
  • Red Panda
  • Orangutan.

We had a vote and the winner was……..

 

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Snow Leopard!

So stay tuned to our blog and keep an eye on the Green Schools noticeboard for information on our latest addition to the Green team.