One of Ireland’s biggest garden centres is on a mission to drive primary school pupils in Laois absolutely wild.
CountryLife Garden Centres want to educate the nation about wild bird conservation through its exciting and engaging new Operation WildNation initiative.
Ultimately they’re helping to protect some of our under threat wild bird species – among these thrushes and finches – during the tough autumn and winter months.
The group, which has 14 CountryLife Garden Centre outlets across the country along with an online gardening website and Laois store in Mountmellick and Monasterevin, has teamed up with renowned environmentalist, author and broadcaster, Éanna Ni Lamhna for Operation WildNation.
The fun initiative, which is already gathering momentum, aims to engage thousands of primary school children country-wide on the importance of looking after nature’s wildlife.
The campaign includes an exciting Operation WildNation colouring competition focusing on children from first to third class with templates and full competition details available now on www.countrylife.ie/colourmewild.
The winning child or school will receive an interactive talk with Éanna and an expert horticulturalist from their local CountryLife Garden Centre.
Picture: Patrick Browne
The prize also includes a fun peanut butter and seed roll-making session as well as vouchers, a wild bird survival kit for the school and more.
Éanna Ni Lamhna said: “Children are the ones leading the charge on climate change and protecting our environment.
“Anyone with a garden can get great enjoyment and fun out of watching out for wild birds.
If there are berries in your garden, if there’s ivy on your walls, if you’ve prickly hedges or if you introduce bird boxes, some bird seed and invest in a good wild bird book and a pair of binoculars there’s endless pleasure to be had.
“It’s fun, its where lifelong memories are made and it requires focus – you can’t press pause or rewind if you miss that robin or goldfinch. But it’s so worthwhile.
I’m delighted to be championing Operation WildNation and getting out and meeting children and visiting schools,” she added.
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