Ulster GAA is delighted to announce that its Sporting Nature Project has won the Biodiversity Project award at the 2025 Sport Positive Awards, held as part of the Sport Positive Summit in London.
The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the global sports ecosystem that are driving sustainability, resilience, equity and climate action in sport.
Sporting Nature is a collaborative programme led by Ulster GAA in partnership with RSPB NI and NI Water and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. It aims to embed biodiversity awareness and nature-positive practices throughout GAA clubs across Ulster.
With over 30 clubs involved, the project delivered tailored Biodiversity Action Plans, created more than 5,000m² of wildflower meadows and planted 1,000+ native trees. By incorporating nature-focused thinking into club culture, Sporting Nature is changing how communities interact with and value their local environment.
Sporting Nature is in the process of developing a Toolkit and Handbook to share its learning, ensuring that its impact continues to grow. It proves that even the most familiar community spaces, such GAA club grounds, can play a vital role in tackling the nature crisis and inspiring environmental change.
The Sport Positive Award Biodiversity category celebrates an innovative, standout project that has had a positive impact on the local or global natural environment, ecosystems, ecology and biodiversity.
“The winners exemplify what’s possible when sport steps up as a force for good,” said Claire Poole, Founder of Sport Positive. “As climate impacts escalate, their bold action, innovation, and leadership are not only safeguarding the future of sport but also delivering positive outcomes for communities and the planet.”
