About the Great Plant Hunt

  • The Great Plant Hunt (TGPH) is a one-year international biodiversity education campaign, focusing on raising nature awareness in Primary Schools. It is taking place across 16 European countries.
  • In 2019-2020, whilst the European campaign targets Junior Infants to fourth Class inclusive we have expanded our resources to include students in fifth and sixth class.
  • The campaign facilitates involvement of individual classes on the Green-Schools Biodiversity theme, by providing age-appropriate materials, information and activities on native Irish plants and animals
  • The Campaign is a joint initiative of Toyota Motor Europe and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

All participating schools will receive:

  • Six specially designed species cards per class level
  • Storybook materials from the KEW Botanical Gardens
  • Associated worksheets for the species cards
  • Access to stories and outcomes from schools across Europe
  • Additional remote support from the Green-Schools office

Participating schools will be expected to: 

  • Complete and submit results from simple species I.D. surveys at two stages during the year. (Fifth and sixth classes do not need to complete this step)
  • Submit roughly five photographs with short notes showing outdoor activities related to the project at two stages during the year. (Fifth and sixth classes do not need to complete this step)
  • Explore the six designated Native Species with their Class year-round.
  • All schools who complete the above steps will be entered into a draw to win a FREE DAY OF BIODIVERSITY WORKSHOPS with a nature expert!

Testimonials

Being part of The Great Plant Hunt also was fantastic to introduce the children to the local aspects of Biodiversity with so many hands-on activities

Ballinora N.S., Co. Cork

The resources provided for the Great Plant Hunt were amazing and we plan to use them going forward over a two year plan as part of SESE programme

Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown, Kilkenny

In general, all the class teachers were very happy with the Great Plant Hunt. One teacher thought it was a great initiative to get the children to learn more about the native species that we have. Some teachers found it very interesting and well organised and that the information was pitched at the right level for the different classes. Many of the teacher mentioned how they like the resources and that they were easy to use within the class.

Glenageary Killiney National School, Dublin

Application Information

TGPH is open to all primary schools who are undertaking the Biodiversity theme. To apply, please complete the registration form and return it to cpatten@eeu.antaisce.org or by post to:  FAO: Clare Patten, Environmental Education Unit, 5a Swift’s Alley, Francis Street, Dublin 8. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 4 2019

Learn more

Read about the experience of previous schools taking part in TGPH at the Great Plant Hunt’s Exposure site.