Ballybunion Bio Blitz
Local secondary school students team up with Tidy Towns to carry out citizen science in their own area
Students from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion, have taken their climate education outside the classroom – and straight into the heart of their local environment – by participating in a community ‘Bio Blitz’ along the Glen Road.
Collaboration with a local organic farmer
The event, organised by Education for Sustainability facilitator and local organic farmer, Billy Jo O’Connor, was held in partnership with Ballybunion Tidy Towns, and saw students survey the roadside ditch along one of Ballybunion’s most-travelled routes. Armed with spotter sheets listing species to look out for – from brambles and nettles to dandelions and wildflowers – students worked in small groups alongside Billy Jo and Rena Blake from the Tidy Towns, to document the biodiversity hidden in plain sight along their daily commute.
The data gathered wasn’t just for show. Working with Tidy Towns member Karen Costello, who coordinates local biodiversity recording for the national biodiversity data website, students logged their findings directly onto Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Network. In this way, students contribute to real citizen science data that will inform conservation and biodiversity monitoring nationwide.
Testimonials
"The students were delighted to be outside and genuinely engaged. What struck me was how much biodiversity they had simply never noticed before, even in a stretch of road they walk past all the time. That's the point - once you know what to look for, you can't unsee it."
“Fortunately, the weather was on our side and students were able to spot various flora and fauna on the spotter list…. Students had both the Merlin Bird ID app and the National Biodiversity Data app downloaded in advance that were a great help on the day. A great time was had by all and we would like to sincerely thank our facilitator Billy Jo and Ballybunion Tidy Towns for all their help and support. We look forward to partaking in more Bio Blitz walks in the future.”
Reaching a new milestone
The event marks the culmination of St Joseph’s participation in Education for Sustainability’s award-winning Climate Literacy Programme, which has now reached over nearly 1,000 schools in 14 Irish counties.
About Education for Sustainability
Education for Sustainability is Ireland’s leading climate literacy education organisation, working with schools and communities to build the knowledge, confidence and skills young people need to take real action on climate change.
Education for Sustainability is a non-profit social enterprise laying the foundation for a more sustainable future for all through climate education and action by providing climate literacy programmes and workshops for schools, communities and organisations across Ireland. By training the teacher, as well as the students, we empower teachers to deliver climate literacy education to subsequent cohorts, increasing the impact of the programme to the wider school community.
