Advertisement

Latest Laois Event: Four “Little Woodlands” planted in Portlaoise
News

Latest Laois Event: Four “Little Woodlands” planted in Portlaoise

Three Portlaoise Schools among places where “Little Woodlands” planted

Laois County Council and LEAF Ireland are planting four Na Coillte Beaga (little woodlands) in three schools and one Education Centre in Portlaoise, which has been designated a Decarbonisation Zone. 800 native trees will be planted in total. 

Craig Benton (Mr. Compost – Facilittator ) with a group of teachers at his Composting Workshop, at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

The three schools are …… and Portlaoise Education Centre.  An Choill Bheag (AnCB) is a long-term educational programme, an initiative of LEAF Ireland and the EEU of An Taisce. The aim is to create small, dense native woodland habitats for biodiversity and an educational and recreational resource for the whole school community to enjoy. 

Teacher- Ms, Aoife Kinsella and pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Lewis Tilly and Lena Vawalska , pupils from Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Lewis Tilly and Lena Vawalska , pupils from Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Kyle Tinkler Duff and Rocco Whelan, pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Kyle Tinkler Duff and Rocco Whelan, pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Noah David and Ralfs Mecnis, pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured with Sabrina Moore ( An Taisce E E Unit )at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school, getting advice from Clare Patton ( Environmental Education Unit – An Taisce). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school, getting advice from Clare Patton ( Environmental Education Unit – An Taisce). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, having fun at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, having fun at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , with Clare Patten ( An Taisce EE Unit ), Suzanne Dempsey and Patricia O’Rourke ( Laois Co Council ). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , with Clare Patten ( An Taisce EE Unit ), Suzanne Dempsey and Patricia O’Rourke ( Laois Co Council ). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils and Staff from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Also in photo were: Suzanne Dempsey and Patricia O’Rourke ( Laois Co Council ), Clare Patton and Sabrina Moore ( Environmental Education Unit – An Taisce). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils and Staff from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Also in photo were: Suzanne Dempsey and Patricia O’Rourke ( Laois Co Council ), Clare Patton and Sabrina Moore ( Environmental Education Unit – An Taisce). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Craig Benton (Mr. Compost ) conducting his Composting Workshop for teachers at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Craig Benton (Mr. Compost ) with teachers partaking in a Composting Workshop at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. ( l. to r.) Ellen Dunne ( Scoil Criost Ri, Portlaoise ), Aideen Meally ( Shangannamore N.S. Barrowhouse ), Craig Benton ( Course Facilitator ), Emma Mc Carthy ( Cosby N.S. ) and AnneCleary ( Clonenagh N.S. ). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Craig Benton (Mr. Compost ) with teachers partaking in a Composting Workshop at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. ( l. to r.) Angela Fogarty ( Scoil Bhride, Rathdowney ), Siobhan Holland (Dunamase College, Portlaoise ), Craig Benton ( Course Facilitator ), Andrew Monaghan ( Rushall N.S. ) and Geraldine Whitford ( Abbeyleix South School ). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

The four projects are being funded by Laois County Council, and delivered by the staff of LEAF Ireland and the Environmental Education Unit (EEU) of An Taisce. These little woodlands will provide an outdoor living classroom, a place where staff and students can connect with biodiversity. The An Choill Bheag initiative involves the students in the entire process, the planning, the planting and the maintenance.  Staff and students are encouraged to connect with woodland culture and biodiversity to understand their benefits to society, climate change, biodiversity and their local economy.  

Teacher- Ms, Aoife Kinsella and pupils from 3rd. Class Holy Family School, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Suzanne Dempsey, Laois County Council said: We are really excited to see the four An Choill Bheag grow and develop over the next few years along with the pupils’ knowledge of trees and biodiversity through the education programme with LEAF.  This project would not be possible without the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.

Craig Benton (Mr. Compost ) with teachers partaking in a Composting Workshop at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. ( l. to r.), Stephaine Redmond ( St. Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise ) , Craig Benton ( Course Facilitator ) and Alma Fingleton ( St. Frances School, Portlaoise ) . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Craig Benton (Mr. Compost – Facilittator ) with a group of teachers at his Composting Workshop, at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Craig Benton (Mr. Compost ) conducting his Composting Workshop teachers at Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 6th .Class Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , with Suzanne Dempsey ( Laois Co Council ) and Teacher Ms Siobhan Burke.. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 6th .Class Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , Suzanne Dempsey ( Laois Co Council ). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 6th .Class Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , with Patricia O’Rourke and Suzanne Dempsey ( Laois Co Council ) and Teacher Ms Siobhan Burke.. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 6th .Class Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 6th .Class Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , with Patricia O’Rourke and Suzanne Dempsey ( Laois Co Council ) and Teacher Ms Siobhan Burke.. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Pupils from 6th .Class Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise, pictured at the planting of ” Na Coillte Beaga” at the school. , with Patricia O’Rourke and Suzanne Dempsey ( Laois Co Council ) and Teacher Ms Siobhan Burke.. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.