Oct 29, 2010

Update from Transition Cork City - the Resilient Rebels



Hi all

 

First of all apologies for the lack of communications of late.  Busyness can take a hold of you!

 

2 things:

 

AGM

First of all we are planning our first ever AGM, in which we hope to put a more formal basis on our group, for decision making etc.  Please pencil in the date of Thursday 18th November at "We Made This", South Presentation Convent, Evergreen Street, Cork at 7 pm, and expect confirmation some time next week.

 

 

Community Powerdown Course in Kinsale:

Attached is a flier with details about the Community Powerdown course which is starting in Kinsale next Monday.  The Powerdown course is highly recommended for anyone who is serious about understanding what transition is all about.  This course was meant to start at the beginning of this month, but was delayed for a month.  I will be driving down from the City each week to this, leaving at about 5:00 pm, so please let me know if anyone wants a lift.

 

The course starts on Monday 1st November at the Carmelite Friary, Kinsale with registration at 5pm and the first module is from 6-8pm. The course fee - €170, €120 for unwaged - includes a DVD containing the Powerdown Learners' Handbook, the ten episodes of the Powerdown Show and a carbon calculator. We intend to run six modules before Christmas and four in January 2011.

 

The course is not only interesting and engaging, but incorporates a variety of media and learning methods such as short films, discussions, group work and stimulating activities. Most participants find it a fun and enjoyable experience despite the seriousness of the subject matter.

 

If you haven't done so already, please let Klaus Harvey (0876763516, klausharvey@gmail.com)  know as soon as possible if you are still interested in participating.

 

 

Dominick Donnelly

Address:  1 Greenfield Lane, Cove Street, Cork City

Tel:  021-239 9419 (Home)  or  087-121 0783 (Mobile)

Email:  dominickdonnelly@eircom.net

 


An Sanctoir Christmas craft fair

An Sanctoir is planning it's next Christmas craft fair on Saturday,
December 4th, 10am - 4pm.

We are looking for local crafts people to come and sell at the fair.

If you're interested please get in touch asap - spaces are very limited.

ansanctoir@gmail.com - tel. 028 37344

--
West Cork's very own 30 acre nature reserve & holistic community
centre  www.ansanctoir.ie

Events at the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation

 

Events at the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Manch, Ballineen, Co. Cork

Hallowe'en Weekend

Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October 2010 from 10.00am until 4.00pm

Come and join in the festivities as we celebrate Hallowe'en with fun and
games in the woods. A great day out for all the family. See our website
for further details: enquiries@inff.ie

Late News: We are delighted to say that we have got Connor Kelleher coming
in on Sunday afternoon to give a talk on bats and bat conservation.

This will take place around 2pm!

Volunteer Day s

A big thank you to the volunteers who helped on Saturday 2nd October.

Next Volunteer Day - Saturday 6th November 2010

From 10am

Tagging young trees and natural regeneration at Manch.

We have started a project looking at how cover of brambles and other plants
affect the growth of young trees. As part of this project we need to mark
young trees planted in the woods, as well as naturally growing trees in
certain parts of the estate. Can you help?

Tea and cake will be provided.

Open Days

Next Open Day - Sunday 7th November 2010

Family Activity - Autumn tree trail including seed collection and planting -
event available all day.

Guided Walk - Life in a broadleaf woodland - led by Nikki Keeling. Meet at
the Education Centre at 2pm.

Workshop - Hedgerow Management with Pete Barnard. Ongoing from 12 noon to
4pm.

Sorry - No dogs allowed.

Website: enquiries@inff.ie

Phone: 023 8822823

Email: enquires@inff.ie

Oct 28, 2010

FOE Tip of the day: Cut when you sup

Cut when you sup

Next time you get a four-pack of beer, remember to cut up the plastic ring holder. These pose a danger to wildlife if they get into the environment, as animals can get their heads caught in them, birds can get their wings trapped and large aquatic birds can get them caught around their bills when they dive for food.

Best Wishes, Rita @ Friends of the Earth


 
 


Spooky Halloween Tales at Lifetime Lab


On Halloween weekend you are invited to a sensational theatre experience for all the family. A series of dramatised ghost stories and horrible histories, brought together by a team of talented performers. Set in the Victorian atmosphere of the former Cork waterworks with a little imagination you, the audience, can give yourself the fright of your life.Red Sandstone Varied Productions presents Tales from the Halloween Crypt directed by Yvonne Coughlan. The performance is constructed as a series of plays within a play. These Halloween themed stories of stories include accolades to the work of others, historical record and legend, or complete fiction. Your host provides the links between this tapestry of tales, as well as contributing her own drama. There are many layers to this crypt. Enter if you dare.

 

 

Saturday 30th 8pm

Sunday 31st 3pm

 

Family audiences are welcome, however may not be suitable for very young or sensitive children,

 

Tickets €10 Ad; €7 Ch; Family/2 Ad&2Ch €30

 

 

Mervyn Horgan

Lifetime Lab

Old Waterworks

Lee Road

Cork

021 4941500


 


Oct 26, 2010

€23 million leaving Clonakilty annually on imported Energy


*SUCCESSFUL ENERGY WEEK REVEALS HOW €23 MILLION IS SPENT ON ENERGY LOCALLY
EACH YEAR*


A staggering €23 million leaves the Clonakilty area (and the country), each
year on Transport, Heating and Electricity energy costs, and all of this
could be replaced by locally produced renewable energy in the community
according to the results of the Sustainable Energy Renewable Energy Study
which were revealed at a public forum during last weeks Energy Week in the
town. And all this could be replaced by locally-produced energy in a short
few years according to Mr. Xavier Dubission, Energy Consultant which would
mean this money staying locally, and long-term sustainable jobs into the
future.


The inaugural Clonakilty Energy Week organised by Sustainable Clonakilty was
a great success. With an array of events organised to attract as many and as
diverse a range of people as possible from Monday 18th to 24th October, the
event attracted lots of attention and favourable comment. In organising the
week, Sustainable Clonakilty aimed to get it's message out to as many people
as possible, especially young people, about the Clonergy 2020 project. This
aims to have Clonakilty and surrounding areas providing as much energy
locally as possible in the next 10 years, by replacing the community's 95%
dependence on imported, fossil fuel energy which will become scarcer and
more expensive as time goes by.

Over 400 children from the local primary schools attended free workshops on
environment and how to cut down on waste and be sustainable during the week.
Throughout the week, energy providers were at the Waterfront to offer advice
to citizens on how to reduce their energy and their bills. "50 Mile Meals"
were available on the menus of a dozen restaurants and cafés, to show how we
can support local producers, and keep money local.

Duncan Stewart of "Eco Eye" programme spent a whole day recording local
sustainable initiatives, and addressed a crowd on the opening night,
followed by a thought provoking film at the cinema – "The Vanishing of the
Bees" which showed how pesticide use in the US is devastating bee colonies.

An Taisce reps were on hand to talk about the "Green Homes" programme which
is about basic common sense and how by making small adjustments in our
homes, we can all conserve and cut down on energy and thereby save money.
There was an interesting talk on "Sustainable Building" methods by Thomas
Riedmuller from "The Hollies Centre" near Enniskeane.

Perhaps the most important event of the week was the launch of the
Sustainable Clonakilty Renewable Energy Study. Consultant Xavier Dubission
had worked for around 6 months researching the quantities, types and sources
of all energy usage in the Clonakilty and district area. Not surprisingly,
on a par with national statistics, 95% of the transport, electricity and
heating energy sources in this area are derived from imported fossil fuels.
In economic terms, this is a staggering €23 million/year leaving this area,
and leaving the country every year on current costs. This figure stunned
many people, as they pondered on all the things that could be done with such
money if it was being kept locally and used for the economy of the area. In
his detailed report, Xavier went on to show how we could easily replace 100%
of this by designing and building facilities whereby we would produce all
our energy needs.

There are opportunities for farmers and everyone in the community to get
involved. He recalled how a delegation from Sustainable Clonakilty had
travelled to the Austrian town of Gussing two years ago, where that
community has cut out the importation of energy, and are producing all their
own and exporting some as well. That town hosts approx. 400 people each week
who come on business and on "eco tourism" trips directly as a result of how
they have transformed their area into a sustainable community. Clonakilty
could easily do the same, and if we started planning now it could be
achieved buy the year 2020.

Friday morning saw Sustainable Clon members, along with the two local
Mayors, gather to see off the Walking Bus of St. Joseph's Girls National
School. And a conference in Darrara College saw a speaker from the
Cloughjordan eco-village in north Tipperary, the Callan Nexus Project in
Kilkenny, a speaker from SEAI on Bioenergy Options, the Templederry
Community Wind Farm and from U.C.C. who gave a talk on "Biogas from Grass".
That evening saw a Pedal Power demonstration and great local music in
Shanley's.

Saturday saw many people availing of free advice and consultation with local
renewable energy providers and suppliers/installers. The annual Community
Garden Awards were also presented. The Energy Week concluded on Sunday with
glorious weather just right for the 60 or so people that took part in a
relaxed cycle from town to Inchydoney and back.

If you would like more information on any of the above contact Alison on 023
883 5241 or email: sustainableclon@gmail.com.  Check out the group's
website:  www.sustainableclon.com and Facebook page for details of upcoming
events.


Go raibh maith agat,
Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,
P.R.O.,
Sustainable Clonakilty.
086-2202029

See our website: www.sustainableclon.com for up to date information on our
activities.

Join our Facebook page - Sustainable Clonakilty

Oct 21, 2010

Fun Cycle on Sunday - Clonakilty

A Chara,
The final event of the Sustainable Clonakilty Energy Week, is a Fun Cycle on
this Sunday afternoon (24th) from The Waterfront (Opposite Eurospar) to
Inchydoney and back, starting at 2.00pm sharp.
This is a family, fun orientated event, organised to encourage individuals,
groups of friends, and familiys to come out and take a leisurely cycle from
Clonakilty along the scenic bay to Inchydoney, and back again.
All details are in the poster, but in particular, please wear a cycle helmet
and high viz top if participating.
To Media people receiving this, as usual, any publicity you can give to the
event will be appreciated.
If possible, please print off the attached poster and display in a prominent
place as soon as possible.
Many thanks for all your help and assistance to date.

--
Go raibh maith agat,
Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,
P.R.O.,
Sustainable Clonakilty.
086-2202029

See our website: www.sustainableclon.com for up to date information on our
activities.

Join our Facebook page - Sustainable Clonakilty Energy Week

__,_._,___

Cork Free Choice Thurs 28 October

Cork Free Choice Consumer Group presents

The POTENTIAL of

OUR FINE FOODS

A LOOK at the HARVARD UNIVERSITY

BUSINESS SCHOOL REPORT to BORD BIA.

CAN WE RELATE TO IT?

Speaker Una Fitzgibbon

Director of Marketing Services, Bord Bia

Some of the points.

"Ireland has an enviable agricultural situation that any other country would die for."

"Irish firms need to work together as partners , not as competitors."

"The affluent world is demanding locally grown, non~polluting, traceable, transparent food at an affordable price. It rebels against multinationals.."

Crawford Art Gallery Café

Thursday 28th Oct at 7.30pm

Entrance 6 euro including tea & coffee

Oct 19, 2010

Creepy Crawlies, Grammy award winners, + more



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IEN eNewsbulletin
October 19th, 2010

In This Issue
Community Resilience at Resource Ireland
Friends of the Earth welcomes "national consensus" on climate change legislation Oireachtas Committe
Life, Camera, Action!...Take part in ECO-UNESCO's Biodiversity Photography & Film Exhibition
ECO-UNESCO's National Youth ECO-Forum 2010: World Wild Web Young people exploring biodiversity
Young environmentalist awards 2011
Six Time Grammy Winners to Launch International Music Project at Sound of Wood Concert
Halloween Creepy Crawlie Fun Camp
Vacancies at ECO-UNESCO
Latest Consultations
Latest Events


Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. Please help strengthen the environmental community in Ireland by submitting articles or notices of events. You can send your contributions to news@ien.ie.
We are aiming to publish this eNewsbulletin every Tuesday. Please send material by Monday for inclusion the following day.

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To read the full articles just click on the links.

 Community Resilience at Resource Ireland


At the Resource Ireland Exhibition IEN member Davie Philip of Cultivate gave a presentation on community resilience to shocks caused by climate change and resource depletion. Primarily this is due to our dependence on cheap oil.


He defined community resilience as the ability to cope with stress, overcome adversity and adapt to change positively. Instead of being seen as a negative, he said that this necessary change could be a catalyst to bounce forward, into a new system that is designed for purpose.

His presentation covered Transition Towns and The Village as examples of models of building resilience. The Transition Town movement has been a great success. There are now six books covering aspects of transition such as food, money, homes, history, and working with councils. Of all these, growing food at home has become the most popular. 'Growing your own' has been covered in Sunday papert, in tv chef programmes, by politicians and more. The website for Transition Towns is transitiontownsireland.ning.com

The second example was The Village, a 70 acre estate in Cloughjordan,  Co. Tipperary. It was set up in 1999 to act as a model for sustainable living into the 21st Century. It is now near completion. Eighty sites have been sold, fifteen homes are built, and thirty are in the process of being built. The homes are made of differing styles - Irish and French, passivhaus, timber frame, cob and terraced.

The estate has orchards, allotments, a community heating system, and incubates green business start-ups. One of these is Go-Car, a car-sharing alternative to car ownership. It also has a very large solar thermal array.

The Village website is http://www.thevillage.ie

 

Friends of the Earth welcomes "national consensus" on climate change legislation Oireachtas Committee publishes cross-party Climate Change Bill

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the publication of a comprehensive Climate Change Bill by an Oireachtas Committee. The environmental campaigning organisation described the move by the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security as a "timely demonstration of the cross-party consensus that exists on climate change legislation". Friends of the Earth regards a strong climate law as the cornerstone of a low-carbon, sustainable, economic recovery.

.

Life, Camera, Action!

Take part in ECO-UNESCO's Biodiversity Photography & Film Exhibition Life, Camera, Action!

Take part in ECO-UNESCO's Biodiversity Photography & Film Exhibition as part of ECO-UNESCO's National Youth ECO-Forum 2010 WORLD WILD WEB: Young People Exploring Biodiversity
ECO-UNESCO's National Youth ECO-Forum 2010: World Wild Web Young people exploring biodiversity

ECO-UNESCO's National Youth ECO-Forum 2010: World Wild Web Young people exploring biodiversity Take part in ECO-UNESCO's National Youth ECO-Forum 2010: World Wild Web Young people exploring biodiversity and celebrate the UN International Year of Biodiversity 2010. Explore the challenges and opportunities relating to Biodiversity, both in Ireland and the world as a whole.

The earlier you register the more support our Young Environmentalist Awards team can give you!

Follow our "Young Environmentalist Awards blog" for all the latest news and action as we head towards the May 12 - Ireland's biggest celebration of ECO-Action - ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase 2010


The six time Grammy winners and world-renowned traditional Irish music band, The Chieftains, will play in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Wednesday 24th November as part of the Sound of Wood concert which is being brought to Tullamore by Just Forests in conjunction with Concern Worldwide. The concert will be the international launch of the Just Music project which is inspired by our love of music and the sustainable use of tone woods in our instruments.

Just Forests launch new website

Just Forests has just launched their NEW website. http://www.justforests.org/

Please visit and send them your feedback, good, bad, or indifferent.

Are you looking for some fun activities for your children during the Halloween midterm break?  The Bog of Allen Nature Centre will be holding a Halloween Creepy Crawlie Fun Camp for students aged 7-13 years.  The camp will be held on Thursday 28th October between 10am and 1pm. Activities on the day will include pond dipping, creepy crawlie hunt in our insect hotel, bat crafts and a visit to our flytraps exhibition.  All activities will be fully supervised by experienced instructors.  The cost of the camp is 15 Euro and booking is essential, as there is limited places.   If you would like to make a booking contact the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133.

Vacancies at ECO-UNESCO

Design Volunteer/Internship Opportunity

ECO-UNESCO is looking for an experienced graphic designer to work on our ECO-Community Garden resource.

This is great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, showcase your creativity and at the same time contribute to raising awareness about environmental issues.

Requirements:

ECO-UNESCO is looking for a webmaster to help assist with the maintenance and development of our new website.

This is great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, showcase your skills and at the same time contribute to raising awareness about environmental issues.

Events Calendar.
All events can be viewed at http://www.ien.ie/ien-events/.

Tuesday, October 19
 ECO-Choices - ECO-UNESCO's Drug Prevention Training for Trainers
Wednesday, October 20
 Survival Essentials: Conference in Waterford

Thursday, October 21
 Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC Accredited Module - L5)
Tuesday, October 26
 ECO-UNESCO's Peer Education & Sustainability Training

Wednesday, October 27
 ECO-UNESCO's ECO-Explorers Halloween Camp
 Greenhouse gas emissions workshop

Thursday, October 28
  ECO-UNESCO's ECO-Explorers Halloween Camp
Greenhouse gas emissions workshop
Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC Accredited Module - L5)
Halloween Creepy Crawlie Fun Camp

Friday, October 29

 ECO-UNESCO's ECO-Explorers Halloween Camp
 Greenhouse gas emissions workshop
 Introduction to Sustainable Development
 Environmental tax reform conference
 Hands on Hedges

Saturday, October 30
  Introduction to Sustainable Development
  Claiming Our Future

Tuesday, November 2
  Conference: Biodiversity Beyond 2010: Missed Targets, New Opportunities
  Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Annual Conference

Wednesday, November 3
  Conference: Biodiversity Beyond 2010: Missed Targets, New Opportunities
  Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Annual Conference

Thursday, November 4
  Conference: Biodiversity Beyond 2010: Missed Targets, New Opportunities
  Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Annual Conference
  Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC Accredited Module - L5)

Friday, November 5
  Space, Place & Nature in Sligo: Connecting our Built Heritage & the Urban Environment.

Saturday, November 6
  Training Day For Local Environmental Pillar Reps on SPCs, CDBs, UBP and ILDCs

Sunday, November 7
  INFF Open Days - Autumn Tree Trail

Tuesday, November 9
  ECO-UNESCO's ECO-Community Garden Training

Thursday, November 11
  Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC Accredited Module - L5)
  Innovating for Good: Social Enterprise Conference

Saturday, November 13
  Hands on Hedges

Tuesday, November 16
  ECO-UNESCO's Introduction to Environmental Education: Trends & Developments
  ECO-UNESCO's Introduction to Environmental Education: Trends & Developments

Thursday, November 18
  Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC Accredited Module - L5)

Sunday, November 21
  Dublin Community Growers Butterfly Project : Garden Workshop

Wednesday, November 24
  ECO-UNESCO's National Youth ECO-Forum 2010
  Launch of Just Music Project

Thursday, November 25
  Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC Accredited Module - L5)

Friday, November 26
  Introduction to Sustainable Development
  Enforcing European Union Environmental Law

Saturday, November 27
Introduction to Sustainable Development
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Certificate in Compost Facility Operation


Certificate in Compost Facility Operation

This course provides compost operators, regulators of facilities and anyone interested in starting a composting facility with the practical knowledge on how to compost properly, how to produce a high quality compost product and how to be compliant with all the regulations. The course was developed by Cré in co-operation with FÁS and Institute of Technology Sligo. The course allows participants to satisfy the general Environmental Protection Agency requirement for a suitably qualified and experienced facility manager to operate a licensed composting facility.

INTENDED FOR

Facility Operators

– for use in process management. The operating principles described in the course are designed to assist operators be more efficient and save money as they manage day-to-day operations.

Management

at all levels involved in the operation of waste facilities and those with a primary responsibility for complying with Environmental Protection Agency Waste Licencing requirements and conditions.

Planners and Decision Makers-

for use in understanding basic principles of compost facility operations. As planners and decision makers gain a better understanding of what is required for successful composting, they will be better equipped to support planning applications for compost facility projects.

Consultants and Designers-

for use in designing and assisting clients with the operation of their composting projects.

Regulators and Enforcement Agencies

- for use in understanding basic principles of compost facility operations, which will assist then in their role as regulators of compost facilities.

The following is an abstract of John Gormely, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's speech at the launch of the Certificate in Compost Facility Operation:

"If we are going to have more facilities and bigger facilities we need people to operate them. Trained operators are better operators and all areas of activity benefit from skilled and knowledgeable staff- composting is no different. I commend all involved: Cré, the Institute of Technology Sligo; FÁS – all for the excellent work in delivering this training program. In particular, I want to congratulate the people who have completed the course and I say well done to all of you"

METHODOLOGY

The course is delivered by a team of approved tutors who have extensive national and international experience in the field of composting/waste management. Students are required to complete site visit reports for each composting facility visited. A comprehensive training manual (300 pages) and copies of all presentation will be provided to everyone. It will be taught in classrooms and there will be site visits to a number of composting facilities, such as a large green waste composting facility (windrow technology), a small green waste composting facility and two food waste composting facilities (In- vessel / Animal by Product Facilities). Students will undertake an exam after the end of the course.

DURATION

The course will last 6 days, comprising three blocks of 2 days over a period of time.

CERTIFICATION

The course has been accredited by the Institute of Technology, Sligo (under delegated authority from HETAC). The Course is entitled "

Certificate in Compost Facility Operation" (Special Purpose Award Certificate, Level 6, 10 credits). This course is the first Special Purpose Award to be accredited by IT Sligo. It is equivalent to a 10 credit subject of a Higher Certificate in Science. Normally a Higher Certificate is taken over the first two years of full-time course in a third level institute and involves achieving a total of 120 credits. A Special Purpose Award is designed for a course in a specialist subject area which is not a component subject of an existing academic programme and is insufficient in itself to justify a full award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate) or other levels. The accreditation for this course is recognised nationally and internationally. Students will also receive a Certificate of Attendance from Cré for CPD. Cré is an approved training provider from Engineers Ireland.

COURSE DEVELOPMENT

To ensure the best possible course content, representatives from all the stakeholders in the industry formed an overall course development steering committee. Representatives from the following organisations were on the committee; Institute of Technology Sligo, Composting & Recycling Consultants Ireland, Carlow County Council, Galway City Council, Veolia Environmental, FÁS, Environmental Protection Agency, Golder Associates and Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

COURSE CONTENT

Definitions and Biology of Composting

What is composting?, What is compost?, Understanding the basic biology and principles of composting

Composting Process

Tipping and receiving, waste acceptance procedure, suitable feedstocks, feedstock preparation, Initial composting phase, stabilisation and curing, screening, product testing & interpretation of results, blending, storage and packaging

Composting Equipment and Technologies

Feedstock preparation equipment: shredders & mixers, Windrow turners, aerated static pile composting systems In-vessel composting systems & screens

Health and Safety

Regulatory issues, risk assessment & monitoring and reporting

Potential Environmental Impacts & Mitigation

Odour, Dust and bioaerosols, leachate, surface water, pests and vectors, noise, litter and fire control

Compliance with Regulatory Framework

Waste permit, waste licence, animal by-product licence & certificate of registration

Process Control

Techniques and technology, moisture, oxygen and temperature, quality assurance and quality control, HACCP for composting facilities, compost testing parameters: field tests, laboratory testing & troubleshooting problems

Community Relations

Being a good neighbour, working with the neighbours, receiving and handling complaints, communications, tours, open houses, compost give-aways, working with the media to get positive coverage

Compost Uses

QAS scheme, types of products and potential uses, value added products & their potential markets, understand product quality from end user stand point

Facility Maintenance

Site: landscaping, utilities, hard standing, compost system, ancillary equipment & environmental management system

New to Course!!

The course allows participants to satisfy the general Environmental Protection Agency requirement for a suitably qualified and experienced facility manager to operate a licensed composting facility.

Session explaining the New Food Waste Regulations

Update on the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) for anaerobic digestion

Information on the EPA's New Pre-Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste

A free copy of the Cré-FAS "The Practical Guide to Compost Marketing and Sales (worth €100)

Information on how to prepare a stage one Animal By Product application

COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED THE COURSE

"

From the site visits, I have taken different techniques on record keeping and house management to improve my existing site" Kevin McCabe, Enrich.

"Our composting facility is just about to start operating and the course has given us virtually all the information and tools to ensure that we get off to a good start" Pete Murtagh, Sligo County Council.

"We are at the start up stage-excellent for overall information" John Prunty, Preseco Ireland.

"Broadness of speakers/items covered was excellent. Group exercises were a fantastic example of how everyone comes up with different ideas. The interaction was also an excellent way to meet and converse with others" "I now have a great insight into the composting industry in Ireland" Katie O'Neill, Atkins Ireland Ltd.

"More than met expectations, excellently organised and delivered. The site visits were particularly useful and excellent to see some of the subjects/theory/equipment etc. in practice"" Andrew Wilson, Ballymun Regeneration.

"Difficult to make suggestions for improvements in what I consider the best of many courses I have attended" P.J.Phelan, Phelan Services.

"Good diversity, good site visits, good group work and good visiting speakers" Tara Griffin, CTO Greenclean.

COURSE DATES

The course will be held at the Hamlet Court Hotel in Enfield Co. Kildare (middle of January 2011), Clanard Court Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare Day (end of January 2011) and a hotel in Navan, Co. Meath (start of February 2011).

The course will be limited to a maximum of 30 students per course.

FEE

The fee includes all manuals (printed in colour), tea breaks, lunches and travel from training centres to composting facilities. The cost per student is €1,195 (Previously was €1,875); this is €199 per day. (€995 course fee + IT Sligo certification fee €200 = €1,195). In order to get a sufficient number of students to run the course, we are asking people if they want to do the course, to send a deposit of €200. If the course does not proceed this deposit is 100% refunded to you. Only on receipt of your completed booking form and the full fee will confirmation of your place be issued to you.

APPLICATION FORM & FURTHER INFORMATION

Percy Foster

, Cré, PO Box 13, Dundalk, Co. Louth Email: percy@cre.ie Tel: 086-8129260

Closing date 29 October 2010


GHG Emissions Workshop & Environmental Tax Reform Conference


GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WORKSHOP
27th - 29th October 2010, Mont Clare Hotel, Dublin

The use of bioenergy crops is often cited as a way of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, although quantification of their true impact at the ecosystem
scale is still unclear and likely dependent on the type of crop, soil
conditions and climate.

As part of the GHG Europe, FP7 project a workshop is being held from the
27-29 October in Dublin that will address these issues and provide the basis
of a review of the impacts of land use conversion for bioenergy production
on greenhouse gas emissions.

Check out http://www.ghg-europe.eu/index.php?id=107 for programme details

There are a few places still remaining.

If you are interested please contact Bruce Osborne (Bruce.Osborne@ucd.ie).


Oct 18, 2010

Vegetable growing courses at Glebe Gardens, Baltimore



Glebe Gardens, Baltimore, West Cork, www.glebegardens.com is just one of the nicest places you could visit. The gardens are inspirantional, excellent compost making, raised beds for vegetable growing and easy weed control. Everything is explained in such a straightforward way ... you can learn so much there in a few hours that will help you grow vegetables and fruit in your own garden.

The food in the restaurant is straight from the garden and is absolutely delicious!

 

In true West Cork fashion the courses on offer at Glebe Gardens are very good value. If you want places to stay please check out Carbery Campus on www.localcampus.com Now there's a good Christmas present idea - a really interesting great value break in West Cork! (Early booking advisable as these courses fill up fairly quickly). Please forward this email to any family and friends that enjoy vegetable growing.

 

all the best,

Walter

www.localcampus.com supporting local enterprise

 

GARDENING COURSES 2010/2011

 

 SUNDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2010

Introduction to vegetable gardening – Getting started

11am-3.30pm

FREE OF CHARGE

Lunch available at our Award winning Café.

 

SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY 2011

Planning your vegetable garden for year round production.

Cropping plan, choosing varieties, making the most of available space and resources.-           2pm to 4.30pm

€30 euro including tea/coffee and cake

 

SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY 2011

Salads all year round.

How to grow salads throughout the year, planning, crop protection and varieties for year round production-          2pm to 4.30pm

€30 euro including tea and cake.

 

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 12TH/13TH FEBRUARY

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 26TH/27TH FEBRUARY

Vegetable gardening using the 'no dig' system.

Details as above-      10.30am to 3.30pm each day

€120 including lunch on both days.

 

Sunday 13th March 2011

Growing under cover-

How to get the best from your polytunnel/greenhouse.   

10am-4pm 

€60 including lunch