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eFlow, operator of barrier-free tolling on Dublin’s M50 motorway on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, are partnering again with social enterprise Biodiversity in Schools to support their Coill na nÓg initiative, one of Ireland’s largest tree-planting projects in education.

The three-year partnership aims to plant over 10,000 trees. After a hugely successful first year in 2024, during which over 4,000 native Irish trees were planted in schools across the country, eFlow is proud to continue as lead sponsor of the programme in 2025. 

Coill na nÓg (which means the children’s forest in Irish) is a native tree and hedgerow campaign for schools across Ireland. The project aims to encourage school students to actively engage in biodiversity and climate action while leaving a lasting environmental legacy in their communities. 

In 2024, a total of 263 schools received native tree-planting kits, enabling students and teachers to plant and care for their own trees on school grounds. In addition to funding the planting kits, eFlow sponsored three outdoor classrooms as prizes for the Coill na nÓg competition, providing dedicated spaces to continue exploring biodiversity and environmental education throughout the year. Below are a few reflections from last year’s winning schools, highlighting how the initiative has enriched their learning environments.

Gillian Fallon from True Nature Sudbury School, Meath commented, “Our bench seats have quickly become a valued part of the yard, serving as a gathering spot for morning circle announcements and a place for play and rest throughout the day. With the help of our new planter, students have been growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers which has brought an extra layer of creativity and joy to our baking and cooking clubs.”

Aisling Collins from Gort Community School, Galway highlighted, “We received circular seating, which we arranged in a semi-circle, and now it is the focus of so many activities for nature. We have a large, raised bed herb garden, as well as lavenders planted around the seating. All groups of students and even teachers use the area to sit down and enjoy the outdoors. We use the space as the focus for lots of recreational and nature activities, such as outdoor Jenga, our biodiversity jigsaw, SDG activities, wildlife scavenger hunts, and other outdoor games. As teachers we often bring classes out (such as English, Religion and others), to conduct our lessons outdoors in the peaceful atmosphere.”

Michelle McGuinness from Ard Scoil Chiarán Naofa, Clara commented, "Thanks so much to everyone in Biodiversity in Schools and eFlow for the Coill na nÓg project. The students absolutely love the outdoor classroom, it's a fantastic addition to the school. All years are using it during walks, wellbeing time, lunch time, etc.  Students have been looking after the garden in the centre, they love the mint, oregano, lavender and marigolds within it. We are also looking to enhance the area for Grounding as part of Wellbeing programme in the school. It's being used by LC and Brosna Autistic unit to help them destress and reconnect with nature - they love the oak tree; a Celtic symbol connected with tree of life."

The initiative is open to all preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Resources will be delivered to successful schools and supported by online resources and training. In addition, all schools across Ireland are being encouraged to get outdoors this autumn/winter and explore their local woodlands and hedgerows. Schools can enter the competition by sharing their outdoor adventures on social media or by direct email entry; three winning schools will be selected to win an outdoor classroom worth €4,000.

Commenting on the launch, Mark Nolan, Director of Biodiversity in Schools said: “It’s so important that our young people have the opportunity to explore our wonderful trees and hedgerows. It’s therefore essential that schools have these resources on their grounds as an educational tool, not to mention the boost to biodiversity. We’re hugely appreciative of eFlow’s partnership on this project showing leadership of businesses helping biodiversity”. 

Commenting on the launch, Roisin Barton Murray, Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s eFlow Public Information Manager commented “We are delighted to sponsor this initiative, to empower students to plant trees and hedgerows, and learn about their local environment. By supporting this program, eFlow are not only investing in the environment but in the next generation of environmental stewards”.  

Schools interested in taking part can register on www.biodiversityinschools.com/coill-na-nog