Tipperary students could become pollinator ambassadors under new project

Tipperary students could be among 9,000 across Ireland to learn how to protect bees and pollinators as part of a new project that has launched in Irish schools.

The 2025 Pollinator Project was launched recently by Minister of State Special with Responsibility for Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, which will see 9,000 pupils in schools across Tipperary and Ireland being trained as pollinator ambassadors.

The Pollinator Project is Ireland’s largest and longest-running pollinator education programme, and is now open for applications encouraging schools to get involved.

A collaboration between Biodiversity in Schools and SIRO, Ireland’s 100% fibre broadband network operator, the initiative works by educating and empowering young people on how to protect and nurture the habitats of bees and other pollinators such as butterflies, moths and birds. The initiative actively supports the goals of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

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This year’s project is expected to engage with 75,000 students overall as it supports participating schools and their wider communities to take meaningful action in protecting Ireland’s declining bee and pollinator populations.

Pollinators play a vital role in Irish food production and agriculture. With 78% of the country’s wild plants depending on insect pollination, according to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Yet their populations face significant threats, including habitat loss from the destruction of species-rich grasslands, native hedgerows, and trees, as well as a lack of safe nesting sites.

Minister of State with responsibility for Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said: "This project, rooted in local communities through its roll-out in Irish schools, can be hugely impactful and will equip the next generation, the future guardians of nature, with an appreciation of the natural world.

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"I commend both Biodiversity in Schools, their corporate sponsor, SIRO, on what they have achieved through this project to date and encourage schools across Ireland to get involved," he added.

The Pollinator Project is now open for school applicants from across Tipperary. Schools and teachers who are interested in participating in the Pollinator Project Initiative can find out more details here.