Seed bomb superheroes
By Mary Dennehy
MORE than 60 schools across South Dublin County have signed up to be seed bomb superheroes and will together plant thousands of native Irish seeds across local communities..
The Seed Bomb Superhero campaign is an initiative of the South Dublin County Public Participation Network (PPN), which aims to engage with younger people in the county regarding biodiversity and environmental issues.
Mayor Ed O'Brien with pupils from Citywest Educate Together National School Student Council
To support this, a super campaign has been launched, with every primary school in South Dublin County invited to sign-up for a free box of native seed bombs.
Each box contains 200 seed bombs, which are simply thrown into bare soil areas where they will grow and germinate into a feasting ground for bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators.
Children can throw the seeds in their own gardens, or the schools may decide to plant them on school grounds.
According to Kieran Walsh, South Dublin PPN co-ordinator, the aim of the campaign is that while planting thousands of native Irish seeds, children will gain a greater understanding of biodiversity and the importance of pollinators.
They will also become more engaged with the environment around them.
Student Council Members with a seed bomb
The campaign, which 63 schools have currently signed-up for, was officially launched at Citywest Educate Together National School this month – with contactless delivery of the seed bombs to local schools already underway.
The launch was attended by members of the PPN, staff and pupils from Citywest ETNS and South Dublin County Mayor, councillor Ed O’Brien.
“I was delighted that Mayor O’Brien accepted our invite to launch this initiative at the local school,” Kieran Walsh said.
“The kids loved having the Mayor there and being able to ask questions of him about his role.
“The children told us all about their student council and how they use the council to help develop ideas such as their Bug Hotel.
“I am sure that the seed bombs will be very well looked after by them and their teachers.”
The idea for the Seed Bomb Superheroes campaign came from the Environmental Pillar of the PPN, which alongside engaging young people in their local environment hopes to raise awareness around the role of the PPN and how it interacts with South Dublin County Council.
A social media campaign will also be running around the initiative, with participating schools encouraged to use the hastag, #seedbombsuperhero.
Schools in South Dublin County interested in signing up to the campaign can email tracy@sdcppn.ie
