It’s fair to say that being eco-aware is on-trend right now.
It’s also fair to say that this is one trend that we should make a permanent fixture – green is the new black.
Environmentalist and artist Don Conroy has spent his whole life advocating for people to care for the planet and its wildlife, and he says he’s glad to see a heightened awareness around the issues now. However, he firmly believes that we have to teach children how to love the planet before we can ask them to care for it – even if that means getting a little help from the fairies.
“I’m not into fear mongering and leaving kids traumatised. Saying ‘we’ve only got 12 years left on the planet’. That’s crazy – if there’s only 12 years why would anyone bother to do anything about it? Instead, I want to encourage children to see the magic side of nature.
“I’ll say to them: ‘You’ve got a new sister? Why not plant a native tree to celebrate.’ ‘You’ve lost a grandparent? Let’s plant a native tree in their memory. And maybe a bird will come and make a nest in it. If it’s a rowan tree then no bad fairy will walk around it.’
“If you can teach them about the mystery and imagination of the natural world, as well as the practicality and function, they will respond. The more we close down people’s imagination, the more we’ll suffer from not allowing it to blossom.”
Don is best known to many parents for his ‘Draw with Don’ slot on The Den in our own childhood days. His love of the environment first blossomed when he was just nine. After he made a get well card for an aunt who was in hospital, a large parcel arrived in the post.
“It was a big coffee table book of the wildlife of Britain and Ireland. My aunt had sent my card into an art competition in England, and this book was the prize. Thanks to that book I got interested in nature – it was great trigger.”
Exploring in Dublin’s Herbert Park – which he describes as a “cinema, jungle, desert, football pitch and back garden” for an imaginative young boy – and the nearby Dodder river helped him further develop his interest in wildlife as a child.
You can spark that same love of nature for your own little ones at Dublin Zoo this weekend, August 24 and 25, where the Protect Our Planet Weekend is taking place. In association with SSE Airtricity, the line up of events includes face-painting, arts and crafts, and games all themed around the importance of biodiversity.
A special smartphone app will allow kids to sign up as Eco ‘Explorers’ and learn how to live greener lives as they navigate the zoo. Eco Explorer Passports will also be available, those who collecting all the badges along the trail will be able to collect a prize.
Aga Grandowicz, one of the creators of Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals, will be hosting readings and art workshops. And, of course, Don Conroy will be there for a special ‘Draw with Don’ session focused on protecting the planet and inspiring, not just a love of nature but also a love of creativity, in a whole new generation.
“Nature, art and poetry are like little streams for me. They all run together to create something magical.”
