A new book aimed at promoting awareness about the importance of biodiversity is to be distributed to all primary schools in Co Carlow.
The book - The Three Billy Goats Gruff of Carlow - also aims to educate young people about the practical ways in which they can help promote conservation and restoration.
Carlow County Council said the book is the first of its kind to be entirely created in-house by a local authority.
The council's Biodiversity Officer, Shane Casey, and Climate Action Coordinator Jannette O’Brien teamed up to write, illustrate and design the book.
The project was developed in line with Carlow County Council’s current Biodiversity Action Plan, which set out a vision to further improve the understanding of the county's biodiversity, and how people can take practical steps to promote it.
Copies of the 28-page A5 book will now be distributed for free to all 44 primary schools in Co Carlow, while the book will also be made available in all library branches across the county.
Mr Casey said he came up with the idea for writing the book as he wanted to help educate young children about the importance of biodiversity in an age-friendly way.
"We wanted to spread an awareness and understanding of Carlow’s biodiversity in an innovative and compelling way for children to access.
"The story is a version of the classic fairytale, set in a small town in Carlow, but instead of a troll under a bridge, there is an evil lawnmower on the prowl," he said.
"The lawnmower mows down all the green spaces before wildflowers can grow to feed the bumblebees and billy goats.
"The aim of the book is to encourage all community and resident groups in Carlow to manage their green spaces as short and long-flowering meadows, in line with our Green Infrastructure Strategy and All-Ireland Pollinator Plan," Mr Casey added.
The book follows a number of other initiatives, run by the local authority in partnership with County Carlow Environmental Network, aimed at providing practical tips for residents on how to manage and maintain their lawns and land using a biodiversity-friendly approach.
It is also not the first time that Carlow County Council has employed the use of goats to get its message across.
A small herd of old Irish goats twice toured the county earlier this year as part of the local authority’s Green Infrastructure Strategy.
The initiative aimed to move people away from regular mowing methods and towards long-flowering meadows that improve conditions for biodiversity, using the goats as "a catalyst for change in management".
