esso wildlife challenge awards????

dublin | environment | other press Friday May 13, 2005 14:55 by mms sprisp.mms at pop dot com dot br

Ireland Esso Wildlife Challenge Awards at a ceremony in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin.

Challenge Awards
Batt O'Keeffe Presents 2004/2005 All Ireland Esso Wildlife Challenge Awards
Mr Batt O'Keeffe T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today (Wednesday 11th May) presented the 2004/2005 All Ireland Esso Wildlife Challenge Awards at a ceremony in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin.


The Esso Wildlife Challenge, which was launched in 1992, is a curriculum-based competition that encourages children of primary school age throughout the island of Ireland to take an active interest in the improvement of their natural environment. The Challenge is run by Esso with the support of Don Conroy, environmentalist, wildlife artist, writer and broadcaster. Since then, it has attracted over 205,000 entries from Primary School children


The success of the competition can be gauged by the fact that this year, there were 38,000 entries, from every county, north and south. The Challenge is a thirty-two county initiative aimed at encouraging children throughout the country to enjoy the wonders of wildlife at first hand as well as encouraging cross-community and cross-border links.


This year, the theme of the Challenge was to draw creative inspiration from the environment, and to incorporate an element of creative writing in the project. The children were asked to write an original poem, a piece of prose or a short story and to accompany it with illustrations and children in 4th, 5th and 6th classes in the Republic and years 5, 6, and 7 in Northern Ireland were encouraged to participate. The Challenge also included a colouring competition for younger children, also on the theme of nature and wildlife.


Speaking at the presentation of the awards, Mr O'Keefe congratulated Esso Ireland Limited on their thirteen years of commitment to this competition. "Its growing success shows that they have identified an area in which there is a real potential for young people to learn more about wildlife, nature and the environment, and to share their enthusiasm for what they have learned with others", he said. Each year, the Challenge sets a different theme.


The Minister stressed the great importance of young people learning to enjoy nature and wildlife, so that as they mature, they will cherish and protect these priceless resources. "This does not apply just to children who live in the countryside. In our cities there are parks, rivers, canals and coastal areas where wildlife can be enjoyed. Holidays in the country and scouting expeditions can offer city children the adventure of encountering the natural world for themselves", he said.


Congratulating the prize-winners and finalists, he said "I am sure you will agree that, in addition to the prizes that will be awarded here today, you have gained another prize also – a greater appreciation and love for Ireland's special heritage of wildlife. I should say that all those who participated, including those who are not here today, are all winners, because they too have learned a greater appreciation of nature" he concluded.


ENDS
11/5/05