Zack de Buitléar, now 12 years old, has been gardening since the age of 2. As the heart of Gardening Well’s youth movement, he’s turned his love for growing things into a public campaign for climate action. Featured in The Meath Chronicle and across social media, Zack’s mission is to help children understand and tackle climate change through hands-on activities, biodiversity outreach, and planting projects.

His family’s Growing Together initiative began during lockdown, when Zack and his brother Sam distributed plants like foxgloves, dahlias, and tomatoes to elderly neighbours. The idea was simple: grow three plants, keep one, gift one to a grandparent, and one to someone in need of cheer. This act of kindness sparked a wave of community gardening and inspired other children to ask Zack for growing tips on the street.

Watch Zack in Action

On his YouTube channel, Zack shares eco-friendly ideas for kids and families. His videos are short, engaging, and packed with practical advice for young gardeners and climate learners.

• Climate Action Zack – Join the Movement
• What Is Climate Change?
• How to Plant Sunflowers
• Harvesting Peas for Dinner

Subscribe to Climate Action Zack on YouTube for weekly updates.

Sunflowers for Peace and Biodiversity

In response to the war in Ukraine, Zack launched a sunflower planting campaign to show solidarity and support biodiversity. Sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, became a symbol of peace and resilience. Zack planted them on unused council land and encouraged others to do the same. His video Sunflowers for Ukraine documents this heartfelt initiative.

How Kids Can Support Biodiversity

Zack’s garden is a living classroom. He teaches kids how to create mini-ponds, build bug hotels, and grow native plants like foxglove, cranesbill, and columbine. His advice is rooted in experience — he’s been saving seeds and observing wildlife since he was a toddler.

His family’s Gardening Well blog emphasizes that “gardening is active meditation” and a way to reconnect with nature. Zack’s projects have been supported by Meath County Council’s Climate Action & SDG program, allowing him to scale up his biodiversity efforts and reach more families.

Visit our Climate Action Through Gardening section for  ideas about what you can do.

Learning Resources for Families

Climate Action Zack isn’t just about planting — it’s about learning. His videos break down complex topics like carbon footprints and composting into fun, digestible lessons. These resources are ideal for classrooms, nature clubs, and curious families.

Want to see how small steps make a big impact? Explore our Family Gardening Projects page for practical ways kids and parents can protect pollinators and local ecosystems.