ECO TRees

CHALLENGE 2015

St. PeterS N.S. & DromiSkiN tiDy towNS

BlackthorNS
Partnership
Work Plan
with Tidy
& Design
Towns

Public
Event

Budget Value for Money

Documentation Awareness /
Liaison with Maintenance Long Term
of
Lessons
Groundswell
Plan
Impact
Project
Learned

Total

20
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

150
Marks

20

14

18

14

15

15

11

13

16

136

Your Partnership with Tidy Towns is quite simply seamless and it is evident that is the case throughout the
entire year and not just for Eco Tribes. We know that the site selection process was quite difficult given the
limited green space available but you tailored your Design and Workplan very effectively to suit the space
available and it worked a treat. Your Public Event was, once again, superb with full participation by children,
parents and grandparents in the planting itself and the children created great awareness by providing the
background to each of the trees being planted through the public address system. The fancy dress element,
where children dressed as trees, added to the atmosphere. Value for Money was unquestionable with your
new Eco Hedge incorporating Whitethorn, Beech, Hazel and Wild Rose Bare Root hedging as well as
Redcurrant, Blackcurrant, Whitecurrant, Gooseberry, Holly and Honeysuckle with the star of the show being
a magnificent Oak tree. Documentation of the Project was faultless a picture story with voiceover by the
children on the whiteboard showcased the project from start to finish. What can we say about Awareness
and Lessons Learnt the knowledge and awareness of these young environmentalists is awe inspiring and
a very difficult benchmark for others to match! Liaison with Groundswell was effective throughout the
project and, as the children explained, your Maintenance Plan is simple given that your planting scheme is
low maintenance but you were very clear about the responsibilities of the Tidy Towns Committee and Junior
Tidy Towns in terms of watering and looking after the hedging plants. While the immediate impact of the
planting scheme is not as strong as some others there is no doubt that the Longterm Impact is phenomenal
the removal of a damaged, overgrown and partly dead escallonia hedge and the planting of a replacement
wildlife friendly hedge will pay dividends in the community for many years to come.
Well done Blackthorns you refuse to give up no matter what obstacle you encounter and your
commitment, work ethic, enthusiasm and knowledge is quite simply a joy to watch. You retain your title and
are crowned Eco Tribe Champions 2015.

Scoil Bhride dunleer & dunleer Tidy Towns

yew tuBerS
Partnership
Work Plan
with Tidy
& Design
Towns

Public
Event

Budget Value for Money

Documentation Awareness /
Liaison with Maintenance Long Term
of
Lessons
Groundswell
Plan
Impact
Project
Learned

Total

20
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

150
Marks

17

14

20

14

15

13

11

13

17

134

It was certainly evident that a good Partnership with Tidy Towns saw this project implemented to a high
standard. The Design and Workplan was terrific we loved the fact that all pupils were invited to submit
ideas with the best incorporated into the overall design which was prominently displayed in the assembly hall.
Your Public Event is really where you excelled was there anyone left in their home in Dunleer as the entire
community, young and old, marched as a Tribe through the village escorted by An Garda Siochana. What a
spectacle! What awareness created in the community and what a good idea to invite the Chairman of Louth
County Council and the local Councillors to take part in the parade and the planting! You certainly achieved
Value for Money with the trees and plants purchased with your grant supplemented by beautifully decorated
public seating and totem poles from recycled materials provided by the Tidy Towns Committee.
Documentation of the project was extremely good despite the fact that there wasnt great sound on the
video presentation the quality was so good that we certainly got a flavour of just how spectacular your event
was. While the pupils may have undersold their efforts slightly during the assessment visit, a little prompting
made it clear to us that Awareness and Lessons Learned was extremely good and the pupils definitely
benefitted from participation in the project. Liaison with Groundswell continued throughout the project and
advice and guidance was acted upon. The fact that the site is in close proximity to the school helps your
Maintenance Plan with the children able to stroll up to supplement the efforts of the Tidy Towns Group. The
Longterm Impact of the project is very good prominent site, combination of permanent and seasonal
planting and colourful additions to catch the eye.
Well done Yew Tubers (Best Tribe name of the year!) What an impact you have made in your first year
taking part in the Eco Tribes Challenge! Congratulations on a job very well done!

St. Francis N.S. & Blackrock Tidy Towns

craB aPPleS
Partnership
Work Plan
with Tidy
& Design
Towns

Public
Event

Budget Value for Money

Documentation Awareness /
Liaison with Maintenance Long Term
of
Lessons
Groundswell
Plan
Impact
Project
Learned

Total

20
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

150
Marks

18

13

16

15

14

13

11

13

18

131

Partnership with Tidy Towns, in this case, was a very natural element of the project with Richard, Ann and
Eileens almost constant presence in the Park making it very easy for the pupils, on an individual or group
basis, to contribute to the development of the garden. Design and Workplan was excellent were told that
Richard was the landscape architect and what a fabulous job he did! Your Public Event was very good
much of the planting had been undertaken in advance but the children, under the supervision of tidy towns,
planted spring flowers among other plants to contribute further to the aesthetics of the garden. A lovely
community event followed in the Community Centre which was well attended. There is no doubt that the
project delivered Value For Money your grant was well spent on a variety of trees and plants while
excellent use was made of materials in the park and the innovative additions by the Tidy Towns added further
value to the overall project. Documentation of the Project was extremely good a photographic
whiteboard display with captions clearly outlined the step by step progress and while the pupils may have
slightly undersold the magnificent work that was undertaken it was nevertheless very clear that Awareness
was increased and a lot of Lessons Learnt as a result of participation in the project. Liaison with
Groundswell was very effective from start to finish and the Maintenance Plan sees the Tidy Towns
Committee take the main responsibility for the upkeep of the garden ably assisted by the boys and girls who
live nearby. The immediate and Longterm Impact is phenomenal a stunning woodland garden in an
excellent location that simply stops you in your tracks! The garden depicts a young childs first steps into the
infant grade and how with each step their world enlarges and stride gains confidence. The garden comprises
of diverse layers of Moss, Helxine, Ferns and Mosses at ground level with an excellent tree canopy of Crab
Apple, Nut Bearing Hazels and Woodland Strawberries bounded by a willow fence to the rear. The charming
scene is further enhanced by the delightful silhouette feature and the colourful mushrooms!
Congratulations Crab Apples You have provided a stunning addition to the award winning Blackrock Park.

Scoil Brd, Ardaghy & Omeath Tidy Towns

arDaghy tree triBe
Partnership
Work Plan
with Tidy
& Design
Towns

Public
Event

Budget Value for Money

Documentation Awareness /
Liaison with Maintenance Long Term
of
Lessons
Groundswell
Plan
Impact
Project
Learned

Total

20
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

150
Marks

17

13

17

15

14

13

11

13

18

131

A very good Partnership with Tidy Towns clearly exists in Omeath and while some members of the tidy
towns committee appeared to make more impact than others on the pupils it was very evident that all were
involved in developing and implementing the project. The Design and Work Plan for your Wishing Orchard
was excellent and it was great to see that the children were so involved at all stages. Your Public Event was
extremely good very well attended and everybody was treated to song and dance to add to the
atmosphere. Value for Money is unquestionable great variety of plants and fruit trees supplemented by
Ladybirds creatively made by the children from plastic bottles. Documentation of the project was very good
a ring binder folder packed with information clearly outlining each step of the project and how involved the
children were. The recording of the Public Event also allowed us to witness the transformation of the site.
Awareness and Lessons Learned was good the children were more knowledgeable than last year and
certainly demonstrated increased awareness as a result of their participation in the project. Liaison with
Groundswell assisted in the effective delivery of the project and your Maintenance Plan relies heavily on
the input of the Tidy Towns which is perfectly understandable given your remote location from the site. The
immediate and Longterm Impact of the project is superb a good, if somewhat secluded, site in the
playground park and a wonderful Orchard that includes Cherry, Plum and Apple Trees as well as Raspberry
and Blackcurrant bushes. A Living Willow Arch, Clematis and Honeysuckle as well as Pampas Grass,
Wallflowers and Pansies complete the pretty picture.
Well done Ardaghy Tree Tribe you have created a truly beautiful Orchard Garden and learned hugely from
the experience!

ECO TRees
BlackthorNS

walSheStowN oakS

arDaghy tree triBe

CHALLENGE 2015
yew tuBerS

craB aPPleS

muchgraNge tree triBe

Muchgrange N.S. & Greenore Tidy Towns

muchgraNge tree triBe
Partnership
Work Plan
with Tidy
& Design
Towns

Public
Event

Budget Value for Money

Documentation Awareness /
Liaison with Maintenance Long Term
of
Lessons
Groundswell
Plan
Impact
Project
Learned

Total

20
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

150
Marks

16

12

16

13

13

12

11

12

17

122

Partnership with Tidy Towns was somewhat challenging but, in fairness, that was more on the part of the
tidy towns group than the school. However, when contact was eventually established, good progress was
made and the new partnership augurs well for future projects. Your Design and Work Plan was simple but
effective in relation to the element of work carried out in Greenore Village a delightful garden was also
created within the school grounds but, strictly speaking, this is outside the criteria for Eco Tribes which only
looks at the work carried out outside of the school grounds. Your Public Event, which was held in
association with the planting of the new school garden was very well attended by parents and members of
the Green School Committee. Value for Money was good we understand that good quality trees are
expensive and you opted for quality rather than quantity. Documentation of the project was good
documentary and photographic evidence available for inspection but again the school garden was the
primary focus of this. In terms of Awareness and Lessons Learned it was clear that the pupils are more
tree aware after undertaking website research and reciting poems about trees with great confidence.
Liaison with Groundswell was very effective and certainly delivered results in both planting schemes. The
Maintenance Plan for the planting in the village wont require too much effort particularly as the tree planting
matures and its always good to develop this type of low maintenance scheme particularly where the
community planting is some distance from the school. The Longterm Impact of the project will add charm to
an existing Eco Tribes Project that is maturing well.
Well done to the Muchgrange Tree Tribe on a much improved performance the renewed partnership with
tidy towns and increased enthusiasm and awareness among the pupils augurs well for future projects.

St. PaulS N.S. walSheStowN & clogherheaD tiDy towNS

walSheStowN oakS
Partnership
Work Plan
with Tidy
& Design
Towns

Public
Event

Budget Value for Money

Documentation Awareness /
Liaison with Maintenance Long Term
of
Lessons
Groundswell
Plan
Impact
Project
Learned

Total

20
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

15
Marks

20
Marks

150
Marks

15

12

16

12

13

13

11

13

16

121

Well done on the continuing Partnership with Tidy Towns particularly given that you are not located within a
village setting your commitment and resilience is laudable as is that of Clogherhead Tidy Towns who
partner you on your Eco Tribe Projects. Your Design and Workplan was developed, in consultation with tidy
towns, to suit the selected locations in the village and is very effective in that respect. We loved your Public
Event, entertaining, educational and above all Age Friendly when the Walshestown Oaks visited a senior
citizens gathering and entertained them with tree themed songs and poetry! We know the standard was high
as we were lucky enough to be similarly entertained during the assessment visit. Forget the X-Factor you
really delivered the Tree Factor. In terms of Value for Money you also opted for quality in purchasing semi
mature cherry blossom trees with your grant. Documentation of the Project was very good plenty of
displays throughout the school that showcased the project as well as a folder presented to the judges on the
day. Awareness and Lessons Learned was impressive this year the research on trees certainly
increased awareness and your Liaison with Groundswell assisted in the effective delivery of the project.
Because of the style of the planting the Maintenance Plan is simple and the project will require minimal
attention as it matures. The Longterm Impact of the project is good and will improve as the trees develop
but we cant help wondering if higher impact might have been achieved if all seven trees were planted in
avenue style at the site opposite the community centre rather than divided between two sites?
Well done Walshestown Oakes a simple but effective project delivered on an Age Friendly basis we loved
the booklet presented to the senior citizens at your Public Event and are sure it will be a treasured memento
of a wonderful occasion.

ECO TRIBES
Seven schools were set a challenge and six schools responded magnificently!

Establish a Tree Tribe

Work in partnership with Tidy Towns

Select a community site

Design/Create a tree garden

Hold a public event to create awareness

Spend 250 on planting the garden/bed

Demonstrate learning/increased awareness

Liaise with Groundswell on project

Agree and implement a maintenance plan

Well done to all! Each of the 6 schools delivered way beyond what was expected!
Judging was almost impossible!
Clinical marking exercise using the criteria for the challenge was required.
Congratulations! All are Winners!

Biggest Winner? Environment of County Louth!