Global Action Plan’s ‘Nature Explorer for Toddlers and After-schooler’ programme caters for children living in the Dublin North West community. The programme provides a safe space to families to experience the natural world.Â
The story so far
Nature Explorer started in 2019 in partnership with Young Ballymun, to support families and children in the local Ballymun community to connect with nature in our beautiful GLAS Garden.
Nature Explorer enables children and parents who may have limited access to the natural world to experience the joys of exploring nature together, allowing them to grow confidence, build strong social skills and strengthen their connection with nature.
Families grow food and look after the crops in our GLAS community garden, participate in arts and crafts activities, and explore the rich biodiversity of the garden. We also hold seasonal events which build community and celebrate the natural world.
Since 2019 the programme has supported hundreds of children and parents and we have seen a growth in the demand of this programme year on year. Â
Nature Explore has been generously funded by Dublin City Council and the Ballymun Social Regeneration Fund, supported by a range of grants and donations from other sources.Â
Funders over the years have included Community Foundation Ireland, Deloitte, Dublin Bus Community Grant, ESB, HSBC, Intel Ireland and the National Lottery.Â