January 2015
Green News & Events
The monthly newsletter of the Irish Environmental Network bringing you environmental news and events for Ireland. 


 

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Green News and Events newsletter of 2015.

 

This month we are highlighting An Taisce's calls to end rural suburbanisation, a new Eco Eye presenter Anja Murray, the annual garden bird survey and Friends of the Earth's 2015 calendar.  

 

As always, if you have some environmental news or an event please get in touch and stay connected by liking us on facebook or following us on twitter.  

Many thanks,

 

 

Communications and Development Officer 

Irish Environmental Network

[email protected] 

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News

IEN Director Anja Murray joins the Eco Eye team

 

Anja Murray, who has been involved in IEN since its inception, has joined Duncan Stewart as a presenter of environmental show Eco Eye. 

 

Tune into RTE One next Thursday at 7pm to see Anja present an episode on ecosystem services in Ireland and how valuable these are to society. 

Eco Eye returns this year in a new harder hitting documentary series format. Duncan Stewart and Anja investigate Ireland's major environmental issues, why they are centrally important to public health and the economy, and what the obstacles are to shaping better policy for now and the future.

Anja will be known to many IEN members having worked with An Taisce, Birdwatch and the Irish Wildlife Trust and currently serves as a director of IEN.

Click here for more on Eco Eye.

 

An Taisce publish five core principles of rural settlement  

� Copyright Eric Jones

 

An Taisce makes a renewed call on the government to take rural settlement seriously in the upcoming review of the National Spatial Strategy.

 

An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, has long voiced concerns as to the ongoing suburbanisation of rural Ireland and the consequent decline of rural towns and villages.

In their submission to the National Spatial Strategy in 2001, An Taisce argued that in the absence of policies to prevent rural sprawl, major cities and their hinterlands would continue to grow disproportionally to the detriment of rural Ireland.

Unfortunately, this has proven to be the case and large parts of rural Ireland have been disadvantaged as a result.

Despite short-term pressures to increase housing supply, simply building ever more randomly located houses will not reverse this trend. Today in many counties, dispersed single dwellings often represent the majority of new houses permitted.

The recent report of the Commission for Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) completely sidesteps the fundamental importance of settlement patterns in achieving balanced regional development.

With the upcoming review of the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020, An Taisce has published five principles for sustainable rural settlement:

 

1. A strong network of thriving towns and villages is fundamental for rural development.

2. Scattered housing in unserviced locations should be restricted and instead directed to rural towns and villages.

3. Implement a 'Serviced Sites Initiative' in rural towns and villages as an alternative to scattered housing.

4. Rural Ireland is a critical resource for a post-carbon world.

5. Manage the economic, social and environmental legacy of scattered housing.

 

An Taisce is making a renewed call on the government to take rural spatial settlement seriously in the upcoming review of the National Spatial Strategy and curb the costly and piecemeal suburbanisation of the Irish countryside. 

 

 

The Garden Bird Survey

 

BirdWatch Ireland's most popular survey, the Garden Bird Survey (GBS) helps us to keep track of the fortunes of Ireland's garden birds. It attracts over 1,000 submissions each year.    

As the Irish countryside changes, gardens are becoming increasingly important havens for many species, and it is vital for us to know how their populations are faring.  The GBS does this not only by giving us a good idea of how our garden birds themselves are doing, but also an indication of how the environment is faring in general.

Garden birds are among our most familiar and easily observed bird species, are easily attracted to feeders and bird tables, and can be watched from the comfort of our own homes. The way the survey works is very straightforward.

Between December and February each year, BirdWatch asks members of the public to keep note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden every week. We also ask for information on the size of the garden being surveyed, the kinds of food, if any, being offered to the birds, and so on. Taking part is fun, easy and an ideal way to get to know your garden birds better; it also makes an ideal school project.

To find out more click here 

Friends of the Earth launch 2015 calendar

 

Friends of the Earth have launched their latest calendar featuring stunning photography of Greenland. 

 

The images were taken by photographer Daragh Muldowney on a trip from Ireland to Greenland in 2013.

In June 2013, the 'Killary Flyer' set sail for Greenland from the West of Ireland. Led by an experienced skipper, Jamie Young, the crew was made up of three climbers, four kayakers, and the photographer. Eighteen long days and three wild storms later we arrived in Upernavik, a small Inuit settlement on the island's west coast.

Daragh said of the trip: "For me, it is a pursuit of beauty, a continuous search for inspiring visions of Nature. Greenland is a place of raw and abundant beauty, one of the few truly wild places left on our planet. I believe in the healing power of Nature. My hope is that these images can connect people to that distant icy shore and share in the profound sense of peace and calm that I felt when capturing each one."

Daragh has now been good enough to provide 13 of those stunning images to us for the Friends of the Earth 2015 Calendar.

 

To purchase a copy click here. 


Finding that perfect 'green gift'
 
Need a gift for an upcoming birthday, wedding, christening, Mothers Day or just to say 'hey, you're great!'?  Well we've just the thing for you! IEN members have a plethora of gift ideas that are perfect for someone who loves nature, and we've pulled all their ideas into one handy online hub. Browse between gift memberships, gardening items, books and CDs, kitchenware, T-shirts, bird-feeders, training courses, tree and habitat sponsorships, cards, stationery, binoculars, gift vouchers and much more. 

Decade of research goes into new reference book on Irish bats

 
 

Bat Conservation Ireland is delighted to announce the publication of 'Irish Bats in the 21st Century' the organisation's first publication.

In the past 10 years over 1000 voluntary 'citizen scientists' have contributed their time to collect these distribution records and to scientifically monitor bats in Ireland as part of the programme managed by Bat Conservation Ireland.

This book is an authoritative guide and reference, with detailed species accounts, illustrated with colour photographs, and it is essential reading for any enthusiast of Irish wildlife. 

Follow this link to find out how to purchase a copy. 


Events IEN members

Gracedieu Volunteer Day

The Native Woodland Trust are seeking volunteers to help with maintenance work at the Gracedieu Community Woodland Reserve, Co. Waterford. An extension of the Diese Greenway this year will lead the walk alongside the Gracedieu site.
The Native Woodland Trust hopes to see old and new faces to help with a variety of maintenance work to help ready the site for its increased footfall. Work will include widening paths, fixing fence posts and clearing grass from inside tree guards to ensure maximum light for trees. Appropriate footwear and clothing are advised as event is weather permitting.

Date: Saturday 10th Januray
Location: NWT Gracedieu Community Woodland Reserve, Co. Waterford
Contact: rebecca.doyle@

nativewoodlandtrust.ie 

Website: www.nativewoodlandtrust.ie    

 

Branch Events & Talks

Birdwatching events and talks organised by BirdWatch Ireland Branches around Ireland.

 

All events are free and open to all age groups, members and non-members, beginners and experts alike.  Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.  Warm waterproof clothing and footwear recommended for all outdoor events. Any queries, please email [email protected]

 

Could we please ask that you take note of and respect the 'No dogs, please' restrictions on certain events. Dogs can disturb birds even when on the lead; and birds don't know the difference between your well-behaved, domesticated pet and a predator such as a fox.

 

Dates/Locations: please consult the BirdWatch Ireland website, www.birdwatchireland.ie    


A Public Talk on Climate Scepticisim and Climate Change Action

Trinity College Dublin will host a public talk examining Climate Science and Climate Change Action by Dr Michael Mann, a leading international climate scientist and the Director of Earth System Science Center, Penn State University. The talk will be based on Dr Mann's recent publication, The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: The Battle Continues (2012). Dr Mann will tell the story of the 'Hockey Stick' which has become an icon in the debate over human-caused ('anthropogenic') climate change and use his experience of the controversy surrounding this visual presentation of scientific data to explore the implications of climate scepticism on climate change action.

Date: Monday 19th January
Location: Neill / Hoey Lecture Theatre, The Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin
Cost: This event is free but registration is required. To register please click here
Contact: +353 1 454 1786 - [email protected]
Website:  www.antaisce.org

Course: Starting a Garden From Scratch

The ultimate start-up course to your first gardening year! You will learn how to select and assess your site, test your soil and build fertility. Course includes a garden plan with vegetable rotation, making lazy beds and selecting your favourite tools.

"Great information, lots of tips that are difficult to learn without hands-on experience. Lovely setting!"

Date: Saturday 21st February
Location:
The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim
Cost: €65
Contact:  (0)71 985 4338
Website: www.theorganiccentre.ie
  
Course: Willow Basket Making 

Tom will teach you how to master the technique and make your first basket
for breads, shopping or general use, with or without handle. Participants
will also receive a DVD and will take their basket home.

"Just marvelous all round. Learned many different techniques."

Date: Saturday 21st of February.
Location: The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim
Cost: €130 plus small charge for materials Contact: (0)71 985 4338
Website: www.theorganicecentre.ie   
Course: Fermented and Cultured Foods

"Fermentation" creates "superfoods" celebrated around the worl for their health benefits (digestive tonics, probiotic, antioxidant rich). The class will introduce you to Kombucha (fermented tea), Sauerkraut (lacto-fermented cabbage), Kim-chee (Korean fermented vegetables), Kefir (milk and water) and Rejuvelac (fermented grains). This course is hands on with lots of tastings and you can take home some culture or scoby.

"Tutor was excellent, very easy to understand, very integrated and lots of fun! Loved making the Sauerkraut!"

Date: Saturday 21st of February.
Location: The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim
Cost: €65
Contact:
(0)71 985 4338
Website: www.theorganicecentre.ie


Events non IEN members 

 
 
Marine Strategy Framework Directive Conference

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) will host a UK and Ireland conference on the Marine Framework Directive Conference in the 2nd quarter of 2015. Further details will be made available in due course regarding the programme and particular discussion topics for the conference.


Date and location: TBA

Symposium on Mapping Ecosystem Services in Ireland 

 

To support the initiation of the MAES process in Ireland and the Irish Forum on Natural Capital, a Symposium on Mapping Ecosystem Services in Ireland, jointly organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the aim of the symposium is to explore the technical challenges involved in national ecosystem assessment and ecosystem service mapping, as well as the identification of existing data and data needs within Ireland.

To register for the event, please visit the National Biodiversity Data Centre event page.

 

Date: February 16, 2015
Location:
Waterford Insititute of Technology
Cork Road
Waterford
Cost: €20.00
Website: 

www.biodiversityireland.ie 

 

 

 

Consultations & Submissions
EIB support to climate action - up-coming public consultation

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will be launching a public consultation on its approach to supporting climate action on the 12th January, 2015.

The Process is expected to run from the beginning of 2015 through to the third quarter of 2015. The consultation will be open for around eight weeks and also include meetings with stakeholders.
For exact timelines of the process, including an indicative timetable, please consult the EIB website, www.eib.org

BACKGROUND
Over the last 5 years the EIB has invested more than €88bn into climate action projects which makes the EIB the largest climate investor in the world. The upcoming public consultation is part of a review of the Bank's approach to supporting climate action aimed at formulating strategic orientations and priorities for the future.

The consultation seeks to solicit views and input from a wide array of stakeholders on issues such as the Bank's climate due diligence, assessment tools, processes and procedures, the design and management of specific financial products, and on the Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility agenda and reporting.

PUBLICATION OF CONSULTATION PAPER
The public consultation process will be oficiallt launched with the publication of a consultation paper on 12th Januray 2015.

A consultation meeting is planned to take place in February 2015 in Brussels. This meeting will be open to all stakeholders interested in a direct exchange with EIB staff about issues at stake within the review. More information, including date and venue for meeting, will be announced in the coming weeks. Please also visit the EIB website, www.eib.org  regularly update information.

The EIB are looking forward to exchanging with you throughout this consultation process.  
How to submit an event
Members of the Irish Environmental Network are invited to submit event information for inclusion in the Green Events Guide. We will also try to include relevant, non-Member event information if possible.
Email your event information to news@ien.ie
Please provide the information in the following format:

Title of Event: A one-paragraph description of your event.
Date:
Location:
Cost: (or indicate if free)
Contact: (if applicable)
Website: (if applicable)
IEN Members
The Irish Environmental Network is an umbrella organisation made up of 34 national environmental NGOs operating in Ireland. To support the environment please support our members. 
   
     



This newsletter is published by the Irish Environmental Network which airms to support information dissemination on the activities of its members. The views expressed in this E-Newsbulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Irish Environmental Network.