The Nature Hero Awards™ are Ireland’s largest outdoor learning programme across the education sector. They are a mark of excellence for a school recognising outstanding work by young people & teachers to help nature.

The aim is to create an educational space that nurtures a love of nature, develops a knowledge of biodiversity & encourages action to help it locally. It covers many topics from nature conservation to ecoliteracy to wellbeing. While it's mainly an award of participation, there's also some great prizes to be won too! It's open to pre, primary, secondary & home schools across the island of Ireland*.

€10,000

School Nature Fund

WHY GET INVOLVED?

It's about taking part as much as winning! The Nature Hero Awards provide a simple, fun and structured way for schools to help nature.

The ultimate goal is to achieve Golden Eagle status and win our sustainably-made, Irish, wooden plaque - the mark of excellence for schools in outdoor learning.

The steps preceding Golden Eagle are Silver Stag and Bronze Badger - both recognised with smaller plaques. All schools will receive a digital participation certificate.

Through the entire process you'll be supported with a simple application form, guide book, webinars. Application is mostly through a simple WhatsApp video. You might even be picked for sponsorship*.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan launching the Nature Hero Awards at Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan, Cork.

WHAT PRIZES CAN YOU WIN?

Aside from winning our Nature Hero Award plaques we also have many exciting prizes under the following categories to be spent on outdoor learning:

Overall National Winner - €5,000
Best Preschool - €1,000
Best Primary School - €1,000
Best Secondary School - €1,000
Spot prizes - €250 x8

But remember, it's the taking part that counts!

Forms & Guides

The national Nature Hero Awards winner 2025 Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, Meath.

Registration portal opens September 10th.

Downloads available from September 10th.

Please download your Submission Form

and Guide Booklet below.

Submission Form

Guide Booklet

Any questions? Get in touch with us on natureheroawards@biodiversityinschools.com

What do teachers Say?

Overall satisfaction rating:

89%

Will you do it again?

95%

329,368

Student participation since 2022:

Anonymous feedback:

“Loved it, at the beginning it started as just another project and ended up bringing the whole school together including parents and neighbours in a very joyful fulfilling labour of love and now we just can't stop planting and building, inventing and growing"

“Being out in the fresh air, learning, working and exploring. I was amazed at when the kids were capable at once I, as a teacher, let go and gave children more autonomy over the work"

The kids loved the freedom of creating and exploring outside. Getting our hands dirty and working together was incredibly bonding and enjoyable"

Carlow ETNS

Anonymous feedback:

The ideas and creativity were endless, the children's wellbeing and empathy and awareness of others beyond themselves grew. It was really a happy project and so motivating once we started we were all hooked!!”

"The project gave students a sense of ownership and pride, while helping them develop a deeper understanding of nature and the importance of protecting it. It was rewarding to see so many students actively engaged and enthusiastic about biodiversity."

Dunboyne Senior Primary School,

Meath

Anonymous feedback:

"The enthusiasm spread throughout the whole school community, with staff getting involved too"

It has helped us create a more biodiversity friendly school and even more importantly has given a voice and purpose to students who previously may have had difficulty engaging in academic or group projects.”

“Just thanks so much for having this award that is much bigger and far reaching than you can imagine. It makes such a difference to all communities involved as well as the flora and fauna within them. Thanks again.”

St. Molaga's Senior NS,

Dublin

Where are our nature heroes?

Recipients of the Nature Hero Award 2026 (brackets indicate change on 2025 results)

First
Dublin - 10 (up 5)

Second
Cork - 8 (up 3)

Third
Meath - 6 (up 1)

Donegal - 5 (up 3)
Galway - 5 (up 4)

Kilkenny - 3 (no change)

Kerry - 2 (up 1)
Limerick - 2 (down 1)
Mayo - 2 (up 2)
Offaly - 2 (up 1)
Sligo - 2 (up 1)

Carlow - 1 (no change)
Cavan - 1 (no change)
Clare - 1 (no change)
Kildare - 1 (down 1)
Laois - 1 (up 1)
Leitrim - 1 (no change)
Tipperary - 1 (down 1)
Waterford - 1 (no change)
Westmeath - 1 (down 1)
Wexford - 1 (no change)

Longford - 0 (no change)
Louth - 0 (no change)
Monaghan - 0 (no change)
Roscommon - 0 (no change)
Wicklow - 0 (down 3)

Further information:

- Terms & Conditions are available here. Privacy notice available here.

- *Note that while participation is open to schools in Northern Ireland and homeschools, they are not eligible for the national or category awards and prizes.

- *Sponsorship Programme. We are often approached by businesses and local authorities looking to support local schools. A key priority for these sponsors is that their nature funding will be used and appreciated by schools. We therefore connect these funders directly to schools registered for the Nature Hero Awards who are showing ambition to help biodiversity. It is therefore worthwhile being part of this programme. Sponsorship in the past has involved everything from simple nature kits all to way up to entire school gardens and outdoor classrooms. Please note we can't guarantee sponsorship but we will do our absolute best for your school.