Schools For Pollinators

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns & Scoil Mhuire Lead the Way with Pollinator-Friendly School Grounds

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns is delighted to acknowledge the leadership of Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix, in setting aside just under 2.5 acres of school grassland as pollinator-friendly habitat over the summer holiday period.

This initiative was developed under a local agreement between Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and Scoil Mhuire, and it follows best-practice guidance from the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan’s “Pitches for Pollinators” campaign - https://pollinators.ie/pitches-for-pollinators/ . By simply leaving selected grassy areas uncut between June and August, Scoil Mhuire created a safe haven for bees, butterflies, and other vital pollinators at a time when wildflowers are in full bloom.

Why it matters:

• Nearly 2.5 acres of grassland provided food and shelter for pollinators during the school’s quietest months.

• The project reduced fuel use and emissions by eliminating mowing.

• It showed how schools and communities can make simple changes that yield major benefits for biodiversity.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns monitored the areas throughout the summer and, ahead of the new school term, returned to cut, clear, and prepare the pitches for use in sports, play, and school activities.

The project was kindly supported by Community Foundation Ireland through its Biodiversity Fund, which helped cover the practical costs of piloting this important initiative.

Speaking on behalf of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, Chairperson Robbie Quinn said:

“This project shows how local schools can lead by example in protecting pollinators and biodiversity. Scoil Mhuire have been fantastic partners, and by managing almost 2.5 acres of their grounds for pollinators, they have shown what’s possible with small changes. We are especially grateful to Community Foundation Ireland for supporting us to pilot this initiative, and to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan team for their clear, practical guidance.”

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns hopes this pilot will inspire other schools and community groups across Laois – and further afield – to explore similar biodiversity-friendly measures.