Ballintleva NS and Moore Tidy Towns among winners at Roscommon Greener Spaces awards
Ballintleva NS in Curraghboy won the schools prize at the Roscommon County Council Greener Spaces Awards Ceremony recently, in the Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon.
Greener Spaces is an environmental competition in Roscommon which acknowledges the contribution of community groups, schools and volunteers in enhancing their local environment and using resources sustainably. Now in its second year, the awards recognise dedication and excellence in preserving the local environment, through biodiversity, climate action or sustainability measures or through protecting local landscapes and built heritage.
Schools and Community Groups engaged in the upkeep of local housing estates, burial grounds and community spaces were invited to enter the competition to highlight the efforts which they have made in maintaining and enhancing an outdoor space.
Among the winners of this year’s awards were Ballintleva National School who were presented with the overall Green Spaces Award for Schools while Keadue Tidy Towns were presented with a Special Community Spaces Award.
A special schools award was presented to Athleague National School while Roscommon Tidy Towns received an award for Action for Climate in the Communities category. Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee were once again recognised in the Burial Grounds Awards competition. Local award winners included Moore Tidy Towns which won the prize in the Athlone area in the Communities – Action for Pollintator category for its work at Moore New Cemetery; Portrun Development Association, which won a Community Spaces award for appearance and presentation and Athleague Tidy Towns also won a Community Spaces award. In all, presentations and awards were made to nine schools and eleven community groups in a number of categories. Speaking at the event Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan paid particular tribute to the many estates, cemetery groups and schools who supported the awards, which he noted, was now an established event in highlighting environmental awareness in the county. He particuarly commended the many school children, their teachers and their parents who have supported the awards. “It is important our pupils have a broad based education, which is committed to protecting our local environment, whether that is our plant life, animal life or built heritage. It is incumbent upon all of us, to play our part to reduce the impact of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions”, Mr. Tiernan remarked.
Cathaoirleach of Roscommon, Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said:“By organising competitions like this, Roscommon County Council is encouraging communities and schools to take an interest in their local environment, to have pride in its appearance and to help build a strong community spirit. Protection of our environment and natural resources is vital for all our futures
Environmental Education and Awareness Officer with Roscommon County Council Jonathan Jones said the Green Spaces Awards, though only in their second year, have grown and expended significantly since their inception.
The awards are proudly supported by the Environment section of Roscommon County Council with the support of the local authority’s Heritage Office.