Environmental Awareness

Welcome to the Environmental Awareness & Research Unit

            

This unit, was established in 2005. Dr Mary Stack is the Councils Environmental Awareness Officer and heads up this section. The Unit has responsibility for developing and implementing environmental awareness programmes in Cork County. Cork County Council regards education as a fundamental cornerstone of environmental protection.Cork County Council is actively promoting waste prevention and resource conservation throughout its public awareness campaigns.

Key target groups include businesses, schools and communities.To this end, Dr Mary Stack, Environmental Awareness Officer for Cork County Council is running a proactive awareness programme with local initiatives at the core.
 

• At the heart of our youth program me is the Green School Flag initiative. The Council actively promotes this eco Educational Environmental Awards Programme accredited by on Taisce www.greenschoolsireland.org .  Since 2005 and the establishment of the Environmental Awareness and Research Unit, the number of schools with Green Flags has soared from 15 to 140. 65% of all schools are afflicated to the programme. The programme is open to third level institutes, crèches and educational institutes like Co-Action Ireland.
   
• Cork County Council itself has participated in waste minimisation & water-energy conservation programmes 'Action at Work' for its own employees was commissioned in 2007. The programme assisted Council staff to follow best practices in waste minimization and energy conservation while at work. 

• The Council through the EARU has also participated in national waste mininisation protects. Currently, the Council's main machinery depot in Victory cross is included in a pilot to develop best practices in the sustainable operation of vehicle depots across Ireland [programme sponsored by EPA].

• The Council's restaurant in County Hall is participating in the National Green Hospitality Awards. This programme is run nationally by the Clean Technology Centre based in Model Farm Road (www.CTC.ie) on behalf of the EPA.

• In Midleton, an office was established (2009) at the SCEAD head quarters where the promotion of sustainable practices for businesses in the East Cork area including waste prevention, energy & water conservation.

• If you would like to contact Dr Mary Stack to discuss your project or initiative she can be reached at the following address:
   
   
   
  Dr Mary Stack
  Cork County Council,
  Inniscarra,
  Cork.
  Tel: 021 4532700
  Email: mary.stack@corkcoco.ie