Dear Colleague,
I would like to draw your attention and invite you to participate in the following exciting initiative:
ELLIE (The European Learning Laboratory for Innovation in Education) in conjunction with Millstreet Country Park is in the process of setting up a National Butterfly Recording Scheme specifically aimed at Primary School children, it is intended to enlist every School down here to take part (4,500 schools) and distribute identification charts to all.
Microsoft Ireland are coming on board as a Partner in the Project which is one component in a much larger programme (promoting science, technology, engineering and maths) that we are developing jointly and are providing a fantastic Web Portal where schools will be able to upload their records, see whats going on around the countryside and get help should they need it.
The Data derived from this project (once vetted) will then be offered to the newly established National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford and will be able to contribute to national and international scientific research.
I would also like to make this an all-island Project and have enlisted the help of some colleagues in Northern Ireland. Our intended launch date will be around the end of March, so not too far away. We are compiling a list of suitable Online Mentors who can help with identification issues should they arise, but also to put up their own sightings in a sort of Butterfly Blog so children can see what the "professionals" are doing throughout the island and season.
If the you are interested in getting involved and/or know someone else who might like to be involved in getting children across the island excited and interested in biodiversity recording and nature in general please let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Tim Lavery, Director of Services
Millstreet Country Park
Co. Cork
http://www.millstreetcountrypar
http://www.millstreetcountrypar
Mobile: 087 0575469
Landline: 029 70810
Facsimile: 029 70899
Email: timlavery@eircom.net
