GreenFridays4Future

GreenFridays4Future Green Fridays 4 Future is a resource for individuals on their green journey. Our aim is to make it easier for you to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

School grounds represent thousands of hectares of untapped opportunity for biodiversity, climate action and outdoor lear...
29/05/2026

School grounds represent thousands of hectares of untapped opportunity for biodiversity, climate action and outdoor learning across Ireland.

This year, Green Fridays has been working with schools, students and local communities to create greener, more biodiverse spaces through tree planting, biodiversity murals, wildlife-friendly gardens and outdoor learning areas.

In our latest newsletter, Greener Schools: Planting for the Future, we look back at projects in Wesley College Dublin and Ringsend National Schools and share practical ideas for schools planning biodiversity projects for the new academic year.

Inside, you'll find:
🌳 Tree planting and school greening initiatives
🎨 Biodiversity murals and outdoor learning spaces
🐝 Ideas for supporting pollinators and wildlife
🌱 Resources and campaigns available to schools across Ireland
🎥 An interview with John Kiberd of the Stepping Stone Forests Project on transforming school grounds into thriving mini native forests

We hope you enjoy the read 💚

Sources include:
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Last week, we shared a little “sneak peek” from the unveiling of the new biodiversity murals and gardens at Ringsend Nat...
15/05/2026

Last week, we shared a little “sneak peek” from the unveiling of the new biodiversity murals and gardens at Ringsend National Schools — and promised lots more photos… so here they are! 🌿

What started as a simple idea grew into a brilliant community project involving the schools, Green Fridays, Ringsend Men’s Shed, parents, volunteers, community gardener Clare Power and the incredibly talented artist Diana Yung.

Over the past few years, the project has gradually helped transform school spaces through:
🌱 A restored wildlife-friendly garden
🎨 Beautiful biodiversity murals
🌳 Outdoor spaces where children can learn, play and connect with nature

The response from the children, teachers and wider community has been amazing. The girls from the Green Schools team absolutely stole the show on the day with their speeches, and seeing the excitement and pride from the students made all the hard work worth it.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen — Projects like this remind us what can happen when communities come together.

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Pollinators are under pressure — and spring is one of the most important times for them.As we head into the long weekend...
02/05/2026

Pollinators are under pressure — and spring is one of the most important times for them.

As we head into the long weekend, many of us will be spending time in the garden — which makes it a great opportunity to support pollinators.

At the exact moment they emerge from winter, food can be scarce.

The good news? Small, practical changes across everyday spaces can make a real difference.

From gardens and schools to workplaces and community areas, we’ve pulled together simple ways to help.

💚A slightly longer lawn.
💚A few more flowers.
💚A corner left untouched.

It all adds up.

Sources include:

Visit greenfridays.org for a pdf with downloadable links.

30/04/2026

The murals, created by the incredibly talented Diana Jung, have completely transformed the space — full of colour, nature and life.

This has been a true team effort between the boys’ and girls’ schools, the local Men’s Shed and Green Fridays. Alongside the murals, we’ve also been working on wildlife-friendly gardens and outdoor spaces, helping children connect with nature in a hands-on way.

A big thank you as well to James Geoghegan TD, Jim O’Callaghan TD and Eoin Hayes for coming down and supporting the day.

And to everyone involved — principals (Brenda and Ian), teachers, students, the Men’s Shed, community gardener Clare Power and local volunteers — thank you. It really shows what’s possible.

Next week, we’ll share more photos and a bit more about this amazing project — consider this a sneaky peek!

As tree planting season in Ireland winds down, we’ve been out with schools continuing our School Tree Planting Initiativ...
23/04/2026

As tree planting season in Ireland winds down, we’ve been out with schools continuing our School Tree Planting Initiative — helping to create greener, more biodiverse spaces for students to learn and enjoy.

Last week, we partnered with students at Wesley College Dublin to plant a mix of native trees, including oak, rowan and lime.

This timing is particularly important. Early spring planting helps trees establish well and supports pollinators as they emerge, providing vital habitat and food sources at a critical time of year.

It’s also rewarding to see the impact over time. Trees we planted in 2024 are already growing strongly, showing how quickly these projects can begin to transform school spaces.

Planting native species is not just about adding greenery. It helps build long-term biodiversity, supports local ecosystems and gives students hands-on experience in understanding and caring for the natural world.

For more on getting involved in tree planting for schools email us on [email protected]

Businesses can play a major role in supporting pollinators this spring 🐝.Bees, butterflies and hoverflies are emerging a...
22/04/2026

Businesses can play a major role in supporting pollinators this spring 🐝.

Bees, butterflies and hoverflies are emerging after winter — and food can be scarce at exactly the moment they need it most.

The opportunity for business sites is significant.

From reducing mowing and protecting existing habitats to rethinking planting and eliminating pesticides, small changes on business sites can have a real impact.

We share simple, evidence-based actions that any organisation can take — from office grounds to retail parks.
✅ Let dandelions grow
✅ Protect what’s already there
✅ Plant native species
✅ Mow less and manage differently

Sources include: .biodiversity.week and

Spring is one of the most important times of year for pollinators 🐝 🦋 As bees and other insects emerge from winter, food...
20/04/2026

Spring is one of the most important times of year for pollinators 🐝 🦋

As bees and other insects emerge from winter, food can be scarce — just when they need it most.

We’ve pulled together 9 simple actions you can take at home — from letting dandelions grow to rethinking lawns and even planting an apple tree.

Small changes can make a real difference.

Sources include: .biodiversity.week and

Spring is one of the most important times of year for nature 🌿After the quieter winter months, wildlife is stirring and ...
30/03/2026

Spring is one of the most important times of year for nature 🌿

After the quieter winter months, wildlife is stirring and pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies are returning. What we do now can make a real difference in the months ahead.

This month’s newsletter focuses on simple, practical actions to support nature this spring — from creating hedgehog highways to planting for pollinators and getting involved in events happening across Ireland.
Because small actions, taken together, can have a big impact.

👉 Enjoy the read 💚

Sources include: .biodiversity.week and

As part of National Tree Week (8–15 March), is focusing on which native trees to plant in Ireland.Native trees such as...
17/03/2026

As part of National Tree Week (8–15 March), is focusing on which native trees to plant in Ireland.

Native trees such as hawthorn, rowan and holly evolved alongside our wildlife and support far more biodiversity than many ornamental species. Choosing the right trees helps rebuild the ecological networks that once covered much of our landscape.

Here are a few native species to consider planting in gardens, schools and communities. 🌿

For more about native trees, visit

Most gardens are fenced off from each other. For hedgehogs, that can turn a neighbourhood into a maze of dead ends 🦔.But...
10/03/2026

Most gardens are fenced off from each other. For hedgehogs, that can turn a neighbourhood into a maze of dead ends 🦔.

But have you heard of a Hedgehog Highway? This might be the cutest thing you'll see today 💚

A Hedgehog Highway is simply a small 13 cm gap in a fence or wall that allows hedgehogs to move safely between gardens. When neighbours connect their gardens, streets can become wildlife corridors that help hedgehogs find food, mates and shelter.

Across Ireland and the UK, hedgehog numbers have fallen dramatically. Small actions like this can help.

Sources: , .biodiversity.week

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