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Schools are invited to get involved with environmental initiatives

Published: 17/05/2023

Flintshire County Council have teamed up with Community Impact Learning (CIL), a local community interest group with a goal to help support young learners gain practical skills and experience, whilst making a difference to the community.

Pupils from several schools across Flintshire took part in environmental initiatives to raise awareness about the impact of dog fouling and litter across the community.

Bryn Deva School participated in a follow up ‘Bag it, bin it’ initiative at Central Park, Connah’s Quay.  Their findings were consistent with research indicating that 9 out of 10 dog owners picked up after their dogs. However, the remaining one out of ten owners led to 130 dog fouls being found at 30% of the park within six months.  

The ‘Bag it, bin it’ initiative promotes positive and responsible dog ownership to the minority of dog owners who don’t pick up after their pets.  Bright pink pawprints are painted on the floor to guide people to the nearest bin urging them to ‘bag it, bin it’ and ‘leave only pawprints’ as part of Keep Wales tidy’s campaign. 

Venerable Edward Morgan RC Primary School and Mini Police from Queensferry CP helped raise awareness at Dee Park, Shotton.  Children collected 10 bags of litter, sprayed messages on pavements with chalk paint asking dog owners to ‘Bag it, bin it,’ and displayed posters about dog fouling around the park. 

Mrs. Doyle from Venerable Edward Morgan R C Primary School said:

“I just wanted to echo our thanks to Flintshire County Council and CIL.  The pupils said they really enjoyed being involved in community projects and helping our environment for their future. Dog fouling is a big issue, and we were so glad to help raise awareness in Shotton.”

Flintshire County Councils Cabinet Member for Planning, Public Health and Public Protection, Councillor Chris Bithell said:

“Dog fouling and litter continues to be a problem in Flintshire.  Though most dog owners do pick up after their dogs, we are appealing to the small minority of irresponsible dog owners to keep public areas and pavements free from dog mess.

It is really pleasing to see these young school children getting involved and setting an example to the rest of the community in keeping our streets and pavements clear of dog fouling.”

Gareth from Community Impact Learning said:

“Our community campaign to keep Flintshire tidy and to highlight the issue of dog fouling has so far proven to be an amazing success!  The young students from those schools already involved have joined in with great enthusiasm and the feedback from them has been tremendous.”

CIL would like to hear from other schools to sign up and pledge support for their campaign.  Events are run at a time and location that fits well with student groups. 

If your school is willing to get involved in any of CIL projects, please contact keepflintshirtidy@flintshire.gov.uk  or follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepFlintshireTidy