WHAT IS IT?
The Nature Hero Award is Ireland’s largest outdoor learning award across the education sector. It is a mark of excellence for a school that recognises exceptional work by young people and teachers to help nature.
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​The aim of the achievement is to create an educational space that nurtures a love of nature, develops a knowledge of our biodiversity and encourages action to help it locally. It covers many topics from nature conservation to school gardening, ecoliteracy to responsible citizenship as well as physical and mental wellbeing. While it is primarily an award of participation, there's also some great prizes to be won too!

The award is open to preschools, primary schools, secondary schools within the Republic of Ireland.
One school will win a
​garden makeover worth up to 
€10,000
WHAT DO WE ACHIEVE?
Every successful school will receive a sustainably-made, Irish, wooden Nature Hero Award plaque - the mark of excellence for schools in outdoor learning.

One lucky school will win an overall prize of a school garden upgrade worth up to €10,000, courtesy of the Glenveagh Greencare landscaping team. This will be awarded to a school demonstrating an outstanding contribution to outdoor learning. 

Renewal schools will receive smaller, satellite plaques to recognise the maintenance of standards each year. There will also be prizes for various award categories.
HOW DO WE GET INVOLVED?
It's very simple! Just follow the steps below and start completing tasks in your own time. Projects include tasks such as hanging bird nest boxes to ensuring outdoor teaching time each week. You might have done some already, that's ok! You can do it as quickly or as slowly as you like. The process launches each September and closes each March. Schools will be awarded before the summer break.
​We have space for 300 schools this year. Closing date for 2024 is March 15th.

​Take a look at the application form here before booking your place:
Step 1
Register below
Step 2
Download checklist & complete tasks​
Step 3
Submit your application
Step 4
Fingers crossed!
    REGISTER HERE
    Once you submit your details, consider yourself registered. We will be contacting all registered schools in late October.
WHERE ARE OUR NATURE HEROES?
Use the map to explore the current class of Nature Hero schools and check out the county leaderboard below.
Cork - 4
Carlow - 2
Dublin - 2
Donegal - 1
Galway - 1
Kilkenny - 1
Limerick - 1
Longford - 1
Tipperary - 1
Westmeath - 1
Wicklow - 1
Cavan - 0
Clare - 0
Kerry - 0
Kildare - 0
Laois - 0
Leitrim - 0
Louth - 0
Mayo - 0
Meath - 0
Monaghan - 0
Offaly - 0
Roscommon - 0
Sligo - 0
Waterford - 0
Wexford - 0
FAQS
Is there a Cost?
No, there is no application fee. Glenveagh Homes are generously supporting this initiative. To conserve our resources we ask that you only apply if you have completed the entire checklist.
What schools can take part?
The award is currently open to preschools, primary schools, secondary schools and homeschools within the Republic of Ireland. Please note homeschools are not eligible to win the €10,000 school garden makeover and certificates will be issued instead of plaques.
What if I have already done much of the work?
That's no problem. We know schools have already done great work, particularly through the superb Green Schools programme. It's as much about maintaining standards at the school as it is about new projects.
What if I can't complete all tasks?
We're conscious that not all schools have the same resources available to them, eg: green space. Just get in touch with us and outline your situation if you think you need additional assistance.
Why are Glenveagh supporting these awards?
Glenveagh Homes are a national homebuilder, committed to investing in local areas through sustainable placemaking and supporting local schools and businesses. Some of their key pillars include Education, Sustainability and Health & Wellbeing. The Nature Hero Awards would not be possible without their support. Glenveagh also value the importance of biodiversity and are reviewing and implementing their own sustainability plan at each development such as prioritising native trees and creating pollinator meadows. Biodiversity in Schools also partner with Glenveagh delivering the Nature Hero Award Bootcamps, an education programme for local schools in areas where they build.
Are there limited spaces?
Yes. Registrations will be limited to 300 schools within the Republic of Ireland.