Applegreen, one of Ireland’s leading roadside retailers, is inviting primary schools across the country to participate in a new biodiversity programme called ‘BioDive’. The programme is supported by both education organisation ‘Biodiversity in Schools’, who provide classrooms with teaching resources and interactive kits to promote awareness and understanding of biodiversity and Éanna Ní Lamhna, passionate Irish biodiversity expert.
All primary schools are eligible to take part in Applegreen’s BioDive programme, with teachers invited to register their school before 4 February 2022 at www.drivechange.applegreen.com (the programme is limited to 124 schools so early registration is advised). Participating schools will each receive a BioDive pack with a bespoke classroom poster featuring beautiful illustrations of native Irish animals, insects and plant life, as well as space for stickers.
The 120 collectable stickers will each include an image of an Irish species and its name in both English and Irish, along with an interesting or fun fact. Stickers will be available in stores from 14 February and Applegreen customers can collect the BioDive stickers over three release phases (available in packs of 3 with any instore purchase of €5 or more*) up until 28 April. Applegreen customers can also collect the stickers and fill in their own illustrated collector’s book, which will be available to purchase from Applegreen stores.
Schools that complete the BioDive classroom poster with all 120 stickers will be in with a chance of winning a biodiversity garden worth €10,000. Runner-up prizes include workshops delivered by Biodiversity in Schools.
Éanna Ní Lamhna, environmentalist and biodiversity expert supporting the Applegreen BioDive programme, said: “It’s clear that our planet is in crisis and it’s only through education and awareness that we can bring about tangible change. I’m delighted to see a campaign like BioDive taking place in primary schools and I hope it will lead to greater biodiversity awareness in Ireland.
“This campaign will leave a positive, lasting legacy for future generations and it’s great to see that Applegreen is fully committed to it,” Éanna added. “I urge all primary schoolteachers to sign up for BioDive and use this wonderful resource by collecting the stickers and learning more about our native flora and fauna.”
‘Drive Change’ for Irish communities
Applegreen will continue to transition towards a net zero carbon future; investing in 100% renewable energy across its Irish operations; transitioning the Applegreen company cars to EV; development of zero food-waste programmes across stores and supporting sustainability within local communities. This includes a commitment to plant 300,000 native Irish trees across Ireland by 2023, to date Applegreen have planted 100,000 trees across three counties.
“We are proud to continue to do what we can to embed sustainability in our business and support our local communities. We are delighted to launch this colourful campaign, with the support of our BioDive Ambassador, Éanna Ní Lamhna,” said Applegreen Ireland Managing Director, Fiona Matthews. “Éanna is such a fun and inspiring person, we loved working with her and seeing how she brings Irish biodiversity to life for all ages. We hope our BioDive campaign will be welcomed by schools and parents and help feed the children’s curiosity about the flora and fauna that’s all around us.
“As an Irish company , we recognise the challenges facing biodiversity in Ireland and feel we have an opportunity to support our local communities by providing resources to schools and children that can effect change now,” Ms Matthews said.
The BioDive campaign will run from January to April, with different phases of BioDive stickers available for collection throughout. A series of limited-edition stickers will also be available; these will detail species that are more endangered than others and will add some exclusivity to the sticker collection programme.
Primary school teachers can register at www.drivechange.applegreen.com before 4 February 2022.
