Young Environmentalists ‘Heal Nature’ as they reach the Semi-Finals of the 2022 Young Environmentalist Awards

07 April 2022

Young people across Ireland have come together this week to highlight the solutions they have created to solve our local climate issues and to showcase their environmental projects at the ‘ECO-DENS’ semi-finals of the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEAs) . 

 

Over 140 projects will be pitched at the ‘ECO-Dens’ to a panel of environmental experts to be in the running at the 2022 Young Environmentalist Awards in May. Hosted by ECO-UNESCO, the Young Environmentalist Awards is a nationwide programme that gives young people the opportunity to create environmental action projects in their communities and to award them for their efforts.

 

Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO said “The ECO-Dens gives young people a platform to meet with a panel of judges including local councillors, academics and NGOs and the YEA programme is an excellent opportunity for young people to make a positive environmental difference and to take ownership of whatever actions they are taking, whether that’s focusing on Biodiversity, Waste or Fast-Fashion. Every effort makes a difference and it’s a privilege to be hosting the Young Environmentalist Awards for its 23rd year.” 

 

One of the projects that made it to the ECO-Dens semi-finals was Dungarvan Youthreach in Waterford who created a ‘Healing Garden’, not only to create a safe space for young people and members of the public to enjoy and to reflect on life, but to also create a habitat for insects that is also bee-friendly. The group also created an awareness campaign amongst primary schools in which they reached out to over 2,500 children in the local area to educate them on the importance of pollination. 

 

Ellen Burke from Dungarvan Youthreach commented “Our Healing Garden was a really helpful project for us during the lockdown to relieve anxiety but to also learn about wildlife and the importance of pollination. I think we now appreciate nature more and feel more responsible for it. I’d encourage every young person to get involved in an environmental project like this.”

 

The Young Environmentalist Awards will take place on the 19th of May. For more information of the Young Environmentalist Awards, please go to ECOUNESCO.ie