Over the last two years the Green Schools Biodiversity programme has teamed up with Kildare County Council to deliver “Project Hedgehog” to four amazing schools in Kildare. These schools have taken actions on their grounds to monitor wildlife, spread awareness and make practical changes to make the space more “hedgehog friendly”.

Hedgehogs are an animal that lots of people love but sadly their numbers are going down all across Europe. It is great to see students taking action to protect these creatures!

Last week, Green Schools Officers, along with Kildare Biodiversity Officer Meabh Boylan, visited St. Colmcille’s National School in Moone, Athy to plant over 100 trees as two hedgerows in the school grounds. These trees will help to connect some of the existing habitats in the school and will provide shelter and safety to hedgehogs and lots of other animals! Hedgerows are really important places for hedgehogs, they use them to travel from place to place as they search for food at night, they are good sources of leaves and twigs which hedgehogs use to make a nest and sleep in during the day and they can also be a good place for hedgehogs to find their favourite foods- insects and other bugs!

Every student from junior infants to sixth class got involved in planting and mulching these native trees. By the end of the day, there were lots of mucky boots (and hands) to go along with lots of happy faces. We can’t wait to check back later this year and see what wildlife has been spotted in these new habitats!