Carn's Donagh NS buzzing over new biodiversity project for school grounds

Donagh National School has been awarded a €2,500 Sustainable Education Grant to develop a wide-ranging biodiversity project aimed at supporting birds, bees and butterflies within the school grounds.

The funding was secured by the Carndonagh primary school following an open application process and will support a year-long programme focused on environmental sustainability, climate action and the protection of local wildlife habitats. The initiative also encourages strong partnerships between the school, heritage experts and the wider community.

As part of the project, school staff will receive specialist training on the types of biodiversity expected on the school site and how to identify, measure, increase and monitor wildlife populations. Teachers and heritage professionals will then work closely with pupils to carry out biodiversity surveys and take practical steps to improve habitats around the school.

A number of hands-on actions are planned, including the installation of bird boxes and feeders, the creation of bee hotels, and the planting of pollinator-friendly areas to encourage insects and garden birds to thrive.

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Nature Northwest’s Aengus Kennedy will deliver workshops for staff and pupils, guiding them through an audit of the school grounds and outlining specific measures needed to enhance biodiversity. Meanwhile, woodwork heritage specialist Johnny Shiels of Spinning Wheels will lead practical workshops where pupils, staff and parents will build bird boxes, a bird table, bee hotels and planter boxes.

Parents will also play a key role in the project, with a dedicated day of action planned to plant pollinator-friendly plants and install the newly built habitats around the school grounds.

Much of the learning will take place outdoors and will be highly practical, with pupils involved in activities such as planting, assembling, painting, weeding and surveying. The aim is not only to protect and enhance the school’s existing ecosystem, but also to build knowledge and awareness of biodiversity through direct experience.

By the end of the project, Donagh NS hopes to see a measurable increase in both the number and variety of common birds, bees and butterflies on the school site. With pupils, staff and parents all getting involved, it promises to be a lively and educational year ahead - and, as the school puts it, it’s going to ‘Bee’ very busy in Donagh national school in 2026.