A school in Co Westmeath has been named the Green-Schools Secondary Biodiversity School of the Year.
Mercy Secondary School in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath was chosen from the 120 schools who were awarded their Green Flag for Biodiversity this year.
Students Kate Sinnamon and Eanna Cullen and teacher Shaun Horan accepted the award on behalf of the school.
As part of their work on the biodiversity theme, Mercy Secondary School added a variety of impactful habitats to their school grounds which will help to attract nature to the area.
This included planting 80 trees, which will not just provide benefits to wildlife but will also present great opportunities for education and enjoyment.
The school also created smaller habitats such as wild grass areas for pollinators, log piles and bird and bat boxes.
St Nauls National School in Keelogs, Co Donegal won the primary school prize.
All schools who were awarded the Green Flag for Biodiversity must work on the programme for at least two years and follow a seven step programme before applying to be awarded with the flag.
