Young people from Westmeath were jubilant at being shortlisted for the all-Ireland ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Final Showcase and Awards Ceremony to be held in the Mansion House, Dublin, on May 23.
From a list of 84 national finalist groups from across Ireland and Northern Ireland that will showcase their environmental action projects at the event, four from Moate Community School have reached the prestigious finals with their innovative projects that range from promoting recycling, raising awareness of the declining bee population, building a sensory garden, to using phytoremediation as a suitable mean to reduce lead pollution on contaminated Irish soils.
The young environmentalists recently travelled to the Leinster ECO-DEN at the Europe House, Dublin, to pitch their environmental action projects to a panel of experts. The young people were challenged with the task of carrying out an action project in their school or community to make a positive contribution to the environment and raise awareness of environmental issues.
While hoping that their work will sufficiently impress the judges to take home a prestigious award, they will also seek the public’s support through the People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award is one category that is out of the judges’ hands, with the public having all the power.
Commenting on the Leinster ECO-DEN, ECO-UNESCO director Elaine Nevin said: “It was inspiring to hear about the fantastic initiatives in action and see the young people speak with great confidence and so passionately about the work they have done; everyone who took part should be very proud. I encourage the public to go on to our website, read all about the inspiring projects, and show your support to these talented young people.”
The public can vote online for their favourite project at www.ecounesco.ie from May 2 to 15.
