Kildare schools help create new habitats for hedgehogs
Kildare County Council congratulated all four participating schools
Four schools in Kildare have completed a two-year biodiversity initiative aimed at helping Ireland's declining hedgehog population while encouraging pupils to connect with nature.
Kildare County Council has welcomed the successful completion of An Taisce's Green-Schools "Project Hedgehog", a pilot programme that supported schools in creating more wildlife-friendly grounds through habitat improvements, biodiversity monitoring and environmental education.
The participating schools were St. Colmcille's National School in Moone, Bunscoil Bhríde in Rathangan, Scoil Choca Naofa in Kilcock and St. Raphael's Special School in Celbridge.
Throughout the project, pupils and staff worked to improve habitats for hedgehogs and other native wildlife while learning about the importance of biodiversity. Trail cameras installed at the schools captured images of hedgehogs, foxes and a range of garden birds, giving students the opportunity to observe wildlife living close to their classrooms.
The programme concluded with a workshop at St. Colmcille's National School in Moone, where Green-Schools officers checked on the progress of 100 native trees planted earlier this year.
Every student in the school took part in planting the trees, which will eventually form a new hedgerow around the grounds. During the workshop, pupils learned how to identify and care for the different native tree species and explored the important role hedgerows play in supporting biodiversity.
The new hedgerow will provide shelter and safe routes for hedgehogs and other wildlife by linking existing habitats around the school.
Students also installed a hedgehog house in a quiet part of the school grounds. They will continue monitoring the area over the coming months in the hope that it becomes home to one or more hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs remain one of Ireland's best-loved wild mammals, but populations have declined across Europe, largely because of habitat loss. Projects such as this help create suitable habitats while encouraging young people to become involved in conservation.
Kildare County Council congratulated all four participating schools on their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment throughout the initiative, saying their efforts have created valuable habitats for wildlife while inspiring the next generation of environmental champions.