Three eco-projects, created by students in Kerry, have been recognised at this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA).
The awards recognise the work of young people who are tackling key issues in relation to climate and biodiversity loss, taking environmental action in their school or community and coming up with creative solutions to solve environmental issues.
A project called Ocean Devotion by students from Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, Tralee, was the winner in the junior water category; the students designed and built a 3D-printed, remote-controlled catamaran capable of removing both large surface plastics and microplastics from Tralee Bay.
The Plant to Plate project by Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare students was named as the winner in the senior food category; this group of students created a seasonal recipe book filled with recipes, sustainability tips, and details about their school’s eco-initiatives, to connect their school’s garden to the kitchen and help students learn how to use local produce they may not recognise.
The Wipe up Tralee Bay project created by Presentation Secondary School, Tralee students was named as the winner in the Senior Water category; the Traldee students promoted sustainable alternatives to wet wipes in their community, with the aim of eliminating the disposal of wipes in Tralee Bay, which is a Special Protection Area (SPA), home to endangered skates, rays, and migrating birds.
Photographed receiving their award at the Young Environmentalist Awards Ceremony were young people from Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, Tralee, Co Kerry. Photo: Brian Morrison
Photographed receiving their award at the Young Environmentalist Awards Ceremony were young people from Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, Co Kerry. Photo: Brian Morrison
