5 Year Plan 2025-30

2025: Gain support from Coláiste na Mí to host a School Community Weather Station and managed by the Student Green Team.

Year 2: Purchase and install the station, establish and promote a digital dashboard for residents to view local climate data. Launch the "Student Climate Ambassadors" program where students use weather station data to present a "State of the Neighbourhood" finding report at the AGM.

Year 3: Increase the station sensor technology: air quality, additional ground water sensors.

Year 4: Turn local climate data into direct action through a range of smart, resilient infrastructure. By integrating solar and micro-wind power, we ensure a consistent energy supply for our community’s needs, supported by a robust battery storage network. These visible installations—from sleek vertical-axis turbines to solar-powered pumps—serve as a 'living lab' for climate action. Simultaneously, we are tackling water resilience through permeable landscaping and rainwater harvesting, creating a closed-loop system that reduces flood risk while nurturing our local biodiversity. 

Year 5: Major 5-year review. Publish a "Johnstown Impact Report" showing how data-driven projects changed the neighbourhood.

2025: Audit all existing school routes. Identify the best locations for Motivational Pavement Signs. Gain School engagement for students to help plan and design the signage and locations. 

Year 2: Trial a few signs and gain pedestrain feedback. Install the first phase of School Directional Signposts (showing distances in minutes). Ensure signage is bilingual. 

Roll out the Motivational Pavement Decals (e.g., "Only 100 steps to the finish line!") to gamify the walk to school. Gain feedback for future signs.

Year 3: Review with student / parent feedback for new phrases and ideas for signs.

2025: Identify one significantly sized "Pilot Site" for a Living Lawn, Gain resident support, create a large network of potential volunteer workers, establish costs and apply for MCC Climate Action Fund 2025,

Identify a site and gain resident group support for the creation of a roadside verge landscaping project.

Year 2: Convert the first 100m of muddy roadside edges into Gravel Verges with native, drought-resistant planting.

Implement the foudation work for the first 'Living Lawn' site.

Year 3: Complete the first Living Lawn planting phase. 

Identify 4 estate verges where the Red Creeping Thyme, Clover, Summer flowering lawn, and gravel planting can be piloted.

Year 4: Install "Rain Gardens" near heavy tarmac areas identified by Thermal Mapping to manage runoff.

Year 5: Establish a "Maintenance Manual" for estates, moving them permanently away from traditional grass-only landscaping.

Year 1: Begin the first 100m of the Life Hedge (native multi-species mix) to link existing "Green Km" zones.

Year 2: Install bird and bat boxes along the Life Hedge route. Use the Weather Station to track how nesting habits align with local temperature shifts.

Year 3: Complete an additional 200m of Life Hedge, focusing on the connection to the Athlumney Riverside.

Year 4: Conduct a "Bio-Blitz" using local schools to count species living within the newly established Life Hedges and Gravel Verges.

Year 5: Connect the Life Hedge into a continuous "Wildlife Ring Road" around Johnstown.

Year 1: Execute the first Thermal Mapping drone/handheld survey during a summer heatwave to identify "Heat Islands."

Year 2: Use Thermal Maps to advocate for tree planting in the hottest parts of the village to provide natural cooling.

Year 3: Measure the cooling effect of the Living Lawns vs. traditional grass using thermal sensors.

Year 4: Roll out a "Home Energy Awareness" campaign based on the Thermal Mapping findings (identifying heat loss in buildings).

Year 5: Transition all community maintenance equipment (mowers/strimmers) to electric, powered by potential solar links to the Weather Station hub.

Year 1: Map litter "Black Spots" along the new Active Travel school routes.

Year 2: Ensure all Motivational Pavement Signs are coated with anti-slip and anti-graffiti material for easy cleaning.

Year 3: Launch a "Clean Kilometre" challenge for the estates that have adopted Gravel Verges.

Year 4: Install smart-bins near the School Directional Signposts to capture "on-the-go" waste.

Year 5: Achieve a 30% reduction in roadside litter through the "ownership" created by the Gravel Verge and Life Hedge projects.

Year 1: Host an "Introduction to the Living Lawn" workshop for all 15+ Estate Managers.

Year 2: Facilitate the first estate-led Gravel Verge installation. Provide "Starter Kits" of native plants.

Year 3: Launch the "Johnstown Sustainable Estate" award, judged on Thermal Mapping performance and biodiversity.

Year 4: Assist estates in applying for their own small grants to expand the Life Hedge network within their boundaries.

Year 5: 100% of Johnstown estates to have at least one "Smart & Green" project active (Weather station link, Living Lawn, or Life Hedge).

Year 1: Use Thermal Mapping to identify "Cool Corridors" leading from the river into the estates.

Year 2: Extend the Life Hedge project to act as a buffer zone between residential areas and the sensitive river ecosystem.

Year 3: Install Active Travel Signage specifically for the Riverside walk, highlighting walking times to the village center.

Year 4: Monitor riverbank temperature and humidity via the Weather Station to assist LAWPRO in water quality studies.

Year 5: Finalize a "River-to-School" green corridor that is 100% protected by native hedging and sustainable landscaping.