A quartet of entries from within the local community were duly recognised at the inaugural Greener Spaces Awards ceremony hosted by Roscommon County Council prior to Christmas.
St Paul’s National School, Cloonakilla National School, Drum Cemetery Voluntary Group and Moore Tidy Towns and New Cemetery Committee were among the award recipients at the well attended ceremony which took place in Roscommon Arts Centre.
“The Greener Spaces competition is a new environmental competition which acknowledges the contribution of community groups, schools and volunteers in enhancing their local environment and using resources sustainably,” Jonathan Jones, Environmental Education and Awareness Officer, said.
Schools and community groups engaged in the upkeep of local housing estates, burial grounds and community spaces were invited to enter the competition to highlight the efforts which they have made in maintaining and enhancing an outdoor space.
The competition focused on the following criteria, namely the appearance and presentation of their outdoor spaces, litter control, sustainability and enhancing biodiversity and actions for pollinators.
All winning entries were invited to the event, which celebrated their achievements and provided a fitting platform to highlight their efforts. Schools and community groups were well represented at the award ceremony. In all, presentations and awards were made to ten schools and thirteen community groups in a number of categories.
Addressing those present, Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan paid particular tribute to the many estates, cemetery groups and schools who supported the awards, which he noted, would be a permanent fixture.
“I wish to warmly commend all of the entrants to this year’s inaugural competition. I wish to particularly commend the many school children, their teachers and their parents who have supported the awards.
“It is important our pupils have a broad based education, which is committed to protecting our local environment, whether that is our plant life, animal life or built heritage. It is incumbent upon all of us, to play our part to reduce the impact of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions”, Mr. Tiernan remarked.
Speaking following the presentation of prizes, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon, Councillor John Keogh said he was honoured to attend the ceremony and present the award winners with their prizes.
“Hosting this awards ceremony is an acknowledgement of the dedication of local communities who take part in these competitions annually.
“By organising competitions like this, Roscommon County Council is encouraging communities and schools to take an interest in their local environment, to have pride in its appearance and to help build a strong community spirit. Protection of our environment and natural resources is vital for all our futures”, said the Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Keogh also expressed his gratitude to the representatives from each of the various community groups and schools for the work they have undertaken each year to improve their local outdoor spaces.
Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer said paid tribute not just to the prizewinners but to all of the participants, which encourages and support community activity, across all ages, in an environmental friendly fashion.
“The Roscommon County Council Pollinator Award aims to encourage community groups to implement pollinator friendly actions in their schools, communities and burial grounds as part of the Greener Spaces Competition.
“Irish bees, crucial in the pollination of our plants, trees and vegetables, are in decline. This is because we’ve drastically reduced the areas where they can nest and the amount of food our countryside provides for them.
“The aim of these awards is to reverse this trend by encouraging community groups to take simple pollinator friendly measures in their local area”, Ms Feeney added.
The awards are proudly supported by the Environment section of Roscommon County Council with the support of the local authority’s Heritage Office.
