Just a reminder that our 2011 programme of identification workshops can be viewed at http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/NBDC-Workshops-20111.pdf
Places are still available on the following workshops:
16 July - Introduction to caddis larva identification (Waterford)
19 July - Recording high impact invasive species (Kerry)
21 July - Recording high impact invasive species (Mayo)
23 July - Recording high impact invasive species (Offaly)
06 Aug - Introduction to stonefly nymph identification (Waterford)
15 Sept - Introduction to sphagnum identification (Kildare)
01 Oct - Introduction to solitary bees (Waterford)
Advance booking and payment is necessary: info@biodiversityireland.ie/ 051 306 240
To unsubscribe please email info@biodiversityireland.ie
Regards
Maria
Jun 30, 2011
2011 Biodiversity Identification Workshops
Build Your Own Solar heating - All Welcome
Jun 23, 2011
School Book re-use scheme
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more information about green projects in Charleville can be found at greencharleville.yolasite.com
Jun 22, 2011
Big Bike Ride 2011 in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland
Charity Cycle in aid of Down Syndrome Friday 24th June:
Big Bike Ride 2011 in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.
Six Cork County Council Engineers will cycle to every Town Council and Area Office in the County to raise awareness of Down Syndrome Ireland, the Tour de Munster Charity Cycle and cycling generally within the Council. They'll be collectively covering over 600km in one day in their "Big Bike Ride 2011". This event is part of the National Bike Week events supported by Cork City and County Councils. The Big Bike Ride should arrive at City Hall at approx 10.00 on Friday morning.
If you would like show your support for our county colleagues and join the cycle even for a short distance please contact Catherine.sheridan@corkcoco.ie
For other events in cork city and county during the week please go to the National Bike Week Website www.bikeweek.ie/cork-city-county
Working with Horses
Hello everybody!
Just in case you are not booked out yet this summer and would like to learn an exciting new skill - there are still some places remaining on our two "Working with horses" one-day workshops in July:
2nd July: Introduction to working with horses and horse-drawn tools
3rd July: Introduction to training a horse to work in harnessFor booking and more information, please contact :
http://www.westcorkcountrycourses.com/booking.html
Sandra Schmid
www.horsepowerinireland.com
Workshop: 'Sustainable Development for Business, Community and Local Government'', Friday June 2
Workshop: 'Sustainable Development for Business, Community and Local Government'',
Friday June 24th, 2pm-4.30 pm Kildare Co Council Buildings, Naas.- Training room
Introduction to Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Strategy and Peak Oil
The Natural Step Sustainable Development Framework (being used in over 30 countries)
Sustainability for Business and Local Government
Sustainable Community initiatives and strategies
Members of Community, Town Councils, Local Government, Business, Environmental networks in Kildare and surrounding areas are invited to attend.
To book your place on this workshop please email mark.g.c.keenan@gmail.com or phone 087 9454997. Workshop co-ordinated by Mark Keenan. Mark has worked with Comhar Sustainable Development Council and with Dept. of Energy and Climate Change, U.K.
Jun 21, 2011
Apple Tree Care workshops
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Jun 20, 2011
Job Advert: part time Policy Officer - Land use & Habitats, BirdWatch Ireland
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Patrick Treacy
Development Coordinator
Cork Environmental Forum
www.cef.ie
T: 086 361 9139 / 021 4647 818
F: 021 4647 818 (call first)
E: patrick@cef.ie
For Your Information – please circulate as appropriate
BIrdWatch Ireland is recruiting for a part time Policy Officer - Land use & Habitats. Full details of the job, person description and application form are on the jobs page on our website. Closing date is midday Wednesday 29 June 2011. Please forward to anyone you think may be interested.
Job Advertisement
Policy Officer (Land‐use & Habitats)
BirdWatch Ireland seeks to employ a Policy Officer for one year (with possible extension
subject to funding) to work as part of the Conservation Team in the areas of policy and
advocacy, taking the lead in key policy areas and pursuing advocacy priorities both nationally
and at EU level. This is a part –time post (c. 3.5 days/week subject to negotiation).
Applicants should be highly motivated and be able to demonstrate:
‐ In‐depth knowledge and experience of environmental issues in Ireland
‐ Expert knowledge and a background in applied conservation ecology
‐ Excellent communication skills and expertise in communicating complex concepts to a range of audiences
‐ Experience in developing project proposals and funding applications
‐ A track record of initiating, managing and delivering evidence‐based policy work
‐ Ability to lead policy work and draw on the expertise of others
‐ Good team working, working with volunteers and stakeholders
‐ Strong negotiation skills
Salary and benefits dependent upon skills and experience.
A full job description, person specification and application form is available at
www.birdwatchireland.ie. Closing date for applications is midday on Wed 29 June 2011.
Siobhán Egan
Policy & Advocacy Officer
BirdWatch Ireland
BirdWatch Ireland | Unit 20 Block D | Bullford Business Campus | Kilcoole | County Wicklow | Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 2812415 Office Tel: +353 (0)1 2819878
email: segan@birdwatchireland.ie
skype name: segan123
mobile +353 (0)87 7706273
Last Chance to Atlas – with just 4 months to go please enter your spring & summer bird sightings to www.birdatlas.net
BirdWatch Ireland - protecting birds and biodiversity
Cairde Éanlaith Éireann - ag caomhnú éin agus bithéagsúlacht
To join as a member, make a donation, volunteer or shop online visit www.birdwatchireland.ie or call us on +353 (0)1 281 9878
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BirdWatch Ireland is the trading name of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy. Cairde Éanlaith Éireann. Registered in Ireland, Company Number 116468. Registered Charity Number 5703.
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Ireland urged to take the lead on poverty, climate change and sustainable development leading to Rio+20
Dear Taoiseach,
In June 2012 leaders from around the world will convene for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil. 'Rio+20' will take place twenty years on from the ground-breaking 1992 Rio Earth Summit– an event that marked a watershed in international collaboration on social and environmental issues.
The Irish government has an international reputation for championing development aid. With just a year to go before Rio+20, there is a real opportunity and need for Ireland to show similar leadership on climate change and sustainable development, and for you, as Taoiseach, to publicly demonstrate your commitment to ensuring a successful Summit.
Rio+20 takes place at a time of increasingly urgent global challenges. There exists massive inequality between rich and poor countries - just 20% of the global population consumes 80% of the world's resources. Almost 1 billion people go hungry every day despite enough food being produced in the world, and we currently face the second food price crisis in three years. Ecosystem degradation, climate change and increasing natural resource scarcity threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of poor people around the world, as well as compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Such challenges also threaten to undermine the entire global economy.
These multiple, interconnected issues demand an ambitious global response that addresses poverty, climate change and sustainable development simultaneously. We need a green and just transition – achieving prosperity and resilience for all within the ecological limits of the planet. Developed countries must lead the way by addressing unsustainable consumption and production patterns and promoting international co-operation for a more equitable distribution of the world's finite resources. This transition requires a fundamental rethink of progress - moving beyond a narrow focus on GDP growth towards broader and more meaningful measures of productivity and well-being.
We ask the Irish government to demonstrate leadership towards Rio+20 by:
Pledging that you, An Taoiseach, will attend Rio+20.
Appointing an Ambassador or Envoy on Rio+20, tasked with generating a coherent vision across government, ensuring effective engagement with Irish civil society, and taking a leadership role in dialogue with other countries.
Playing a leading role in the preparatory process for Rio+20. For instance, by hosting a High Level Policy Dialogue on a prominent issue – such as green jobs and skills, low carbon development or sustainable food systems - ahead of the next intersessional meeting in December.
Irish civil society is ready to play its own role in contributing to these endeavours. We look forward to hearing your Government's plans for comprehensive engagement with civil society and action on the Rio+20 agenda between now and June 2012.
Kind regards
Michael Ewing
Coordinator
Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership
Knockvicar
Boyle
Co Roscommon
Rep of Ireland
Tel: +353 71 9667373
Mob: +353 86 8672153
email: michael@environmentalpillar.ie
web: www.environmentalpillar.ie
Environmental Pillar members: An Taisce. Bat Conservation Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland. CELT - Centre for Ecological Living and Training. Coast Watch. Coomhola Salmon Trust. Crann. ECO UNESCO. Feasta. Forest Friends. Friends of the Earth. Global Action Plan Ireland, Gluaiseacht. Grian. Hedge Laying Association of Ireland. Irish Doctors Environment Association. Irish Natural Forestry Foundation. Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Irish Seal Sanctuary. Irish Seed Saver Association. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Irish Wildlife Trust. The Organic Centre. Sonairte. Sustainable Ireland Cooperative. VOICE. Zero Waste Alliance Ireland
Bioenergy Open Day 2011 - Thursday 23rd June
Bioenergy Open Day 2011
'Growing Opportunities for Irish Farmers'
Interested in Energy Crops and how it could fit into your farming business?
Organised by Teagasc, the Bioenergy Open Day 2011 will take place on Thursday, 23 June 2011 at Oak Park Crops Research, Carlow.
This free event is centred around Teagasc bioenergy research and will focus on the technical aspects of growing and utilising bioenergy resources, particularly Miscanthus and SRC Willow. The event will also cover the Bioenergy Scheme, which provides grants towards the cost of planting and establishment.
This half-day event will run from 9am - 2pm with the following schedule -
- 09:00 Meet in small car park (Tea / Coffee)
- 09:30 Stage 1
- Willow Establishment / Disease / Herbicides
- Willow Nutrition
- Bioremediation research
- Willow beetle research
- Harvesting research
- 10:30 Stage 2
- Miscanthus Establishment
- Herbicides & trial work
- Harvesting work
- Carbon sequestration
- 11:30 Stage 3
- Economic comparison of energy crops to conventional agriculture
- 11:50 Stage 4
- Anaerobic Digestion from grass research
- Use of digestate trial work
- 12:35 Stage 5 (Test Shed)
- Biomass Feedstocks end uses - Introduction
- Analysis of feedstocks & woodchip drying
- Quality issues with woodchip
- Grain boiler
- Pelleting, Combustion & emissions
- 01:35 Stage 6 (CHP launch)
The events will begin with discussions on the agronomy, economics and marketing of energy crops. There will be an opportunity to see the crops growing in the field and hear Teagasc research on bioenergy on the various crops.
Who should attend?
The event is aimed at farmers interested in knowing how energy crops could fit within their existing farming system and what value they could add to their existing farming system - and what value they could add to their current business.
Why should you attend?
- Demand for biomass for heat and power is increasing
- Even in its infancy, Energy Crops give a better return than beef
- They have a more stable farm-gate price than tillage crops
- They can be less intensively managed with low inputs.
For more information - Click Here
================================================
Liz O'Sullivan, Knowledge Transfer,
Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, Co. Carlow, Ireland
E-mail: liz.osullivan@teagasc.ie Web: www.teagasc.ie
Phone: +353 59 9183483 VPN: 773483
Fax: +353 59 9183430
Teagasc - The State Sponsored Irish Food and Agriculture Research and Development Body
Cork Branch IWT - list of upcoming events
Cork Branch
corkbranch@iwt.ie or 08722820400
List of events
June 25th. Training day for the otter survey. Meet 10am in Fota Wildlife Park. Go to main gates and ask for Kerry. Please contact Cork Branch to confirm attendance of this event.
July 3rd trees in the summer with Mike Collard. Glengarrif woods meet at 11 in the main car park Glengarrif Woods.
July 7th. Meeting to organise the wildlife protection seminar in Sept/Oct. Meet 7pm in the Wilton Inn by the side of Wilton Shopping centre and opposite to the hospital.
July 9-10th. We have a stall at the Medieval Festival near Barryscourt Castle, East Cork. We need your help. If you can help for a few hours with the stall please contact the branch asap.
July 17th Wildfood walk with Nikki Darrell. Walking along the old disused railway line. Meet at the car park Monahan Road near the ford garage and Atlantic Pond. Meet at 11am. Donations.
August 27th Meet at 12 noon. Killeagh woods in the car park. looking at lichens. Led by Paul Whelan. An event held as part of National Heritage Week.
September 3rd. Woodland visit. Time to be confirmed. See an example of how woodlands are managed. Venue near Skibbereen. Take the Caheragh road out of Skibbereen until you come to the old closed down creamery on the right hand side of the road approximately 3 miles from Skibbereen. Immediately opposite is a turn to the left and that will bring you to the Sam Sweetnams yard. The walk will look at small woodlands and plantations (including Betsborough wood), wild life and their management. The walk should take around approx 2 hours.
September 22nd Beaumont Quarry meeting. Help us to protect the quarry. We are collating information for a proposal. Meet 7pm Wilton Inn.
September –October During these months we will not organise a specific date to see the whales and dolphins that visit our coast. This year we are trying a different approach. We will hold a list of names of those interested in going to see whales and dolphins. They will be contacted during these months when the dolphins and whales are around. Further details will be available nearer the time.
September. Wildlife Protection Seminar. Cork City.
Cork LETS Network 'Exchange Without Money' 27th June 6.00pm
'Exchange Without Money'
(South Presentation Community Centre,
Evergreen St. Cork Mon. June 27, 6.00 – 8.45 p.m.)
Use what you have to get what you need.
Money is not required!
SOUP (for first fifty people) 6 o'clock.
TRADING EXCHANGE Learn about LETS, Open an Account, and Start Trading! 6.30 p.m.
TALK: ALTERNATIVES TO MONEY Alejandra McCulliton (accountant, ex-civil-servant, Argentine Ministry of the Economy, and LETS trader during the Argentina crisis years: 1999 – 2001) 7.30 pm
The venue is on Evergreen Street – at the South Presentation Community Centre ("WE MADE THIS!")
Parking can be found on nearby streets.
Admission FREE (Donations welcome!)
Contact Máire at 087 6420135.
Presentation of Cork County Council Residential Estate Guidelines
Hi All
this may be of interest to all of you who have to make huge detours through housing estates simply to get onto the nearest road.
It may be a case of 'bolting the stable door after the horse has gone', but this is a unique chance for everyone to attend a public debate on how our housing estates are laid out in the future.
adam
Adam D'Arcy
086 1234 364
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:01:07 +0100
Subject: Presentation of Cork County Council Residential Estate Guidelines
From: riaiadmin@gmail.com
To: info@riai.ie; cpd.riaisouth@gmail.com; riaiadmin@gmail.com
FOOD SECURITY Meeting June 29th 14:00
Dear Fleachta,
Something important is happening in European Networks working on Food, Agriculture and Environmental issues.
Various organizations are preparing a European Forum on Food Sovereignty – the Nyeleni Europe Forum.
The Nyeleni Europe process began almost a year ago, when groups which were already working together on Food Sovereignty issues in Europe began discussing the need to build a more coordinated food sovereignty movement in Europe. A "roadmap" for the Nyeleni Forum was developed, with the aim of ensuring a participatory process in the preparation of the Forum content.
The word "Nyeleni" comes from a previous forum held in Mali in 2007, which resulted in the "Nyeleni Declaration for Food Sovereignty" - more info is available here: www.nyelenieurope.net
The Forum will be limited in numbers to 550 participants – these should come in the form of "delegations" in order to ensure preparation and evaluation meetings before and after the Forum. These "delegations" are required to have a 50-50 gender balance, include 1/3 food producers, and 1/3 young people.
We are interested in forming an IRISH DELEGATION to participate in the Forum. We believe this is an important opportunity for organizations to see how they can better work together, both in Ireland and in Europe, on building a fairer and more sustainable food and agriculture system within a Food Sovereignty framework.
We would like to have 7 people in the Irish delegation. Of these 7, 1/3 must be farmers or brewers, 1/3 must be young people, and we need a 50:50 gender balance. These conditions exist to ensure a balanced group of people attend the Forum.
The Forum will follow 5 thematic axes, which will be discussed in detail – we will need to decide before we go which axis each person in the delegation wants to participate.
We will also need to contribute to the costs of lodging and accommodation at the Forum – this means paying 1000 euro for our delegation of 7 people (plus transport costs)
We will be meeting next June 29th at 14:00 in the Latin American Solidarity Centre offices (5 Merrion Row, Dublin 2). Please let us know if you are interested in coming along. Everyone is welcome!
More information is in the document attached.
Our contacts for the delegation in Ireland are:
John Brennan
Leitrim Organic Farming Cooperative 071-9640868
José Antonio Gutiérrez
Latin American Solidarity Centre 01-6760435
Our contact with the European organisers
Fergal Anderson
Via Campesina Europa 087-7806155
Annual Cycling Lecture - Mon 20 June TCD
Edmund Burke Theatre, Trinity
College Dublin, June 20th, 7.00pm
"Are we yet taking cycling seriously enough? This is no longer a topic which requires more evidence on the benefits to society of cycling - We have ample evidence, but this is not the stumbling block to getting more people cycling. The real problem is long-term commitment and political will to create an integrated transport strategy."
So states Phillip Darnton, OBE, ahead of travelling to Dublin to deliver the 2011 Annual Cycling Lecture entitled 'Cycling in cities - Are we really serious?' Phillip is currently Director of the UK Bicycle Association and was Chairman of Cycling England, the independent expert body on cycling promotion, from 2005 until March 2011. Phillip is a terrific public speaker and advocate of cycling - and this event is not to be missed.
On the same evening, the winners of the prestigious 2011 Golden Pedal Awards will be announced. Details available here:
www.dublincycling.ie/goldenpedal2011
See you there!
[Green Works News] Convergence Festival On Now
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Bat Count 2011
National mid Summer's Bat Count starts on the 18th June and runs till the 24th June. If you have a bat roost or know of a local roost, please count the number of bats emerging over the coming week and log on your results on www.batconservationireland.org.
For the counts please follow the following guidelines:
1. Before counting the bats, please receive permission from the roost owner if the location is not your own premises.
2. Ensure that you know the exit point for the bats prior to surveying (i.e. complete a survey a week before the event. Make sure the site is safe to survey).
3. Be in position 20 minutes after sunset or as it is starting to get dusky.
4. Count each individual bat that emerges and count for a minimum of 60 minutes or until no more bats emerge for at least 10 minutes.
5. Send your results to BCIreland either by postcard or log your results onto website.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thanks
Tina
Bat Conservation Ireland Ltd.
Registered Charity No. 13016
Company Registration No. 494343
Ulex House, Drumheel,
Lisduff, Virginia, Co. Cavan
www.batconservationireland.org
info@batconservationireland.org
00353 (0) 86 4049468