🌿 Inspiring Biodiversity: A Visit from Tom Gallagher
We were truly honoured to welcome biodiversity expert Tom Gallagher to our school, where he spent time with our senior classes sharing just a small glimpse of his incredible knowledge and passion for the natural world.
From the moment he began speaking, it was clear that Tom’s enthusiasm for biodiversity is both infectious and inspiring. He helped us understand not only what biodiversity is, but why it is so essential to the health of our environment, and ultimately, to our own wellbeing.
🌼 Learning About Nature All Around Us
Tom introduced us to the fascinating world of garden birds, insects, and native plants. We learned how even the smallest actions can make a big difference, and how our school grounds can become a thriving haven for wildlife.
Some of the facts he shared truly amazed us:
A single willow tree can support over 450 species
Just a handful of soil contains 10 trillion microbes
Ireland has seen a 70% reduction in its bumblebee population
The word “tit” (as in tit birds) comes from an old Icelandic word meaning small bird
The shrew, Ireland’s smallest mammal, can survive only three hours without food
These insights opened our eyes to the richness—and fragility—of the ecosystems around us.
🐦 Creating Spaces for Wildlife
Tom didn’t just teach us facts, he gave us practical advice on how we can take action. He showed us how to create spaces that encourage birds and insects to thrive, from planting the right species to allowing areas of our garden to grow naturally.
His message was clear: biodiversity starts with us, and even small changes can have a lasting impact.
🌳 Discovering Our Extraordinary Hedgerow
One of the highlights of Tom’s visit was exploring our school hedgerow. What we discovered was nothing short of extraordinary.
Our hedgerow is home to an incredible variety of native Irish plants, including ivy, whitethorn, ash, blackthorn, hazel, dog rose, holly, bramble, elder, oak, and birch. It represents every native hedgerow plant found in Ireland, a truly rare and valuable natural resource.
Using a simple formula, Tom helped us estimate the age of our hedgerow. The result? An astonishing 1,240 years old, and quite possibly even older!
This means that right on our doorstep, we have a living, breathing ecosystem that has supported wildlife for centuries.
To bring this to life, Tom demonstrated just how biodiverse it is by gently shaking branches over a tray. Within moments, we saw a remarkable variety of tiny creatures emerge, proof that our hedgerow is teeming with life.
🌱 A Lasting Impact
Tom Gallagher’s visit has left a lasting impression on our school community. He has inspired us to look more closely at the world around us and to take meaningful steps to protect and enhance biodiversity in our own environment.
We now see our school grounds not just as a place for learning, but as a vital habitat full of potential.
We are incredibly grateful to Tom for sharing his time, expertise, and passion with us, and we very much hope to welcome him back again in the future!
