JUST 3- a wonderfully successful Environmental Partnership between University & the wider Galway Community

I was honoured to be with the wonderful International Student Officer Louise Kelly as we represented the University of Galway’s JUST 3 initiative at the finals of the all-Ireland Education Awards 2026 for the third level sector that was held last week in county Meath
We were present on the night in the companionship of a number of other great project nominees from the University of Galway, namely University of Galway Access Centre, Erasmus, PEP Project & University of Galway IdeasLab. It was the latter that ensured that Galway took home a top prize, being winners of the ‘Best Collaboration Award’ for its ‘Building the Empathy Studio Through Co-Creation & Collaboration’. So a big ‘Bualadh Bos’ to Natalie & team!
Though Just 3 did not win the ‘International Engagement Award’ this time around, nevertheless we were proud that it received national recognition as it provides a unique & meaningful opportunitiy for international students studying at our university to undertake weekly conservation activities in Terryland Forest Park alongside members of the wider population of Galway city. Volunteering activities include tree/wildflower plantings, removing invasive species, developing eco-heritage trails, restoring rural features, litter picking & introducing sustainable farming. There's also a very critical built-in social dimension to Just 3 as, after every group work activity, volunteers come together to share stories over coffee/tea & biscuits in a relaxed café setting. Participants gain essential social, health & environmental benefits from working with others in Nature.
So even though the international students may only be 2/3 academic terms living in Ireland, nevertheless their legacy is a lasting one. By planting trees & wildflowers in our city, they are putting permanent roots in Irish soil & helping make Ireland a better place for both people & for biodiversity.
The Just 3 intiative was founded in 2024 by Louise Kelly & myself assisted by the then Students’ Union President Dean Kenny (who designed the eye-catching poster), the university Society’s officer Rena Hughes, SU Environmental Officer Malena Thren & the then ALIVE Coordinator Dr Lorraine Tansey. So we were so delighted that the bubbly, energetic & ever-so-friendly Lorraine Tansey was present at the Education Awards to jointly receive the "Most Innovative Digital Transformation" Award for the StudentVolunteer.ie website. Though Lorraine is now helping in coodinating student volunteering nationwide in her capacity as Programme Manager at Student Volunteer Ireland, we in Galway are still benefiting from her efforts. For it is through the Student Volunteer website that students sign up for Just 3 in order to undertake Tuatha Terryland Forest Park activities. This registration process is coordinated locally by my good friend Ann O'Brien as the university’s Community Engagement Officer.