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The monthly newsletter of the Irish Environmental Network bringing you environmental news and events for Ireland.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the February edition of the Green News and Events Newsletter from the Irish Environmental Network. In this month's edition: No certainty over how Ireland will reduce emissions in new Climate Bill, Galway reject fluoride and a rare turtle washes up on a Donegal beach. 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 ian@ien.ie |
Still no certainty within the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill on how Ireland will reduce carbon emissions
Now, more than ever it is essential that decisions on Energy Policy are bold enough to get us off our addiction to fossil fuels!
The Government has finally published the long awaited Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015. Friends of the Earth welcome the publication of the Bill, however have expressed dismay that this current draft does not include any targets for reducing carbon emissions and allows for a potential delay of up to 2 years before any plan to reduce carbon emissions in Ireland is implemented.
Commenting, Policy and Campaigns manager at Friends of the Earth, Kate Ruddock said:
'We haven't had a plan in place to reduce carbon emissions in Ireland since the National Climate Change Strategy expired at the end of 2012. This Bill allows for further delay until 2017 before any plan to reduce emissions is developed and means that individual sectors such as energy, transport or agriculture will not be obliged to make any changes to reduce carbon emissions for at least another 2 years. The Environmental Protection Agency is already predicting Ireland will not meet its European 2020 emissions reduction targets and without a plan in place it is hard to imagine a scenario where we can reduce our emissions at all.
'This is a massive missed opportunity. Looking at the energy sector, we have one of the most carbon intensive systems in the world, relying on fossil fuels for about 90% of our energy use. Despite the growth in renewables, carbon emissions from the electricity sector continue remain high because the market is allowed to favour the most polluting fuels such as coal and peat to generate electricity. A law aimed at combating climate change should change this, but this Bill as it stands will not.'
'The potential for inaction means it is now all the more important that the White Paper on Energy Policy due later this year is visionary and ambitious with a clearly defined path to decarbonise Ireland's energy and a plan to wean us off our addiction to fossil fuels.'
'Our plan for the future needs to be on growing our indigenous renewable energy resources and supporting communities to generate and own renewable energy developments for their benefit in their local areas. We need a plan to upgrade all of our buildings so they waste less energy and a commitment from Government that we will stop sending €6.5 billion a year abroad to import fossil fuels. This requires some clear and bold decisions on where our energy comes from; it requires closing the coal burning plant at Moneypoint, stopping the burning of peat for electricity, a ban on fracking and a commitment that Ireland will be fossil fuel free by 2050.'
Hen Harrier, Heather, shot dead in County Kerry
A satellite-tagged Hen Harrier was shot dead this week in Co Kerry. The young female bird was known to thousands of people who had followed her since her first flight from a nest in east Kerry two years ago. She has been fitted with a satellite tag as part of a joint project between the National Parks & Wildlife Service and local community group IRD Duhallow to raise awareness of these spectacular bird of prey.
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The body of Heather, the female Hen Harrier found shot dead in Co. Kerry
(Photo: Barry O'Donoghue, NPWS)
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Dr. Barry O'Donoghue of the National Parks & Wildlife Service oversaw the satellite tracking project: "Knowing this bird since she was a tiny chick, and having followed her every movement remotely and in the field was a real privilege, enlightening and indeed humbling. Every time without fail, she lit up my eyes when her tag showed she was alive and well. It was heart-breaking to find this young bird when she had been shot. An individual that gave so much joy to thousands of people that followed her progress, killed in the prime of her health. This was not just one bird, but the hopes and dreams for a species that is vani
 | Heather as a chick in the nest with her siblings
(Photo: Barry O'Donoghue) |
shing from our country." John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland commented on the implications of this shooting: "Birds of prey are so important in an healthy countryside, and the lack of education which fuels such incidents of illegal persecution not only affects their vulnerable populations but has much wider implications for our countryside."
The coming weeks and months will be pivotal for the future conservation of Hen Harriers and the upland habitats upon which they depend as structure of the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) within the Rural Development Plan (RDP) is finalised. A Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan is also currently in preparation through the
National Parks and Wildlife Service. The purpose of this plan is to identify the main threats to Hen Harriers and identify the best solutions for a sustainable future. It has the potential to deliver an effective framework for future Hen Harrier conservation both within and outside the SPA network.
 | | Heather photographed flying in Co. Cork (Photo: David McGrath) |
Further information on Hen Harriers and birds of prey, please follow the links below:
Irish Charity, Just Forests, publishes eco-adventure stories for children
Just Forests is publishing a series of children's stories to educate younger audiences on the importance of environmental stewardship. The series, written exclusively for the charity by author Grace Jolliffe, is called Jack Kelly and the Just Forests Gang, the first book of which is titled 'Jack Kelly Meets the Just Forest s Gang'.
The story features a boy named Jack whose life is turned upside down when financial hardship forces him and his family to leave their beloved city of Du blin and move to the countryside of County Clare. When Jack goes walking in the forest surrounding his new home, he soon finds there's more to the forest than just trees. The forest is a world brimming with beauty, magic and mystery, and news of a growing environmental catastrophe forces Jack to embrace challenges and adventures in order to save the forest he now calls home.
According to Tom Roche, founder of Just Forests, "This is a very practical way for us to mark our 25th Anniversary (1989-2014) and prepare the next generation for the challenges of natural resource security going forward."
" We are depending on people all over the country and further afield to support our work by purchasing a copy and passing it on to their children and grand-children, according to Roche."
All proceeds from the sale of this e-book goes to support Just Forests on-going development education (DE) work with primary and post-primary schools across Ireland.
To find out more about Jack Kelly and the Forest Gang click here
The Garden of Plenty - Sustainable Living Expo to become a public space amenity.
 The Garden of Plenty, an innovative project using Irish wood, which featured in last years Bloom Festival (2013) is to become a usable public amenity in a gesture of returning to the community and supporting sustainable development with wood. The Garden of Plenty exhibit is one of 18 wood related  projects shortlisted for the Wood Awards Ireland 2014, the winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday 28th November.
The Garden of Plenty project grew from a concept originally exhibited to an audience of 250.000 people at the 8th Festival Internacional de Jardins de Ponte de Lima, Portugal (2012) The Garden of Plenty is based upon the sustainability of wood as a resource and the project is "demountable" and reusable. The concept underlying this project is a productive community space, which is multi-layered, reflecting the very soil that feeds it and the sustainable wood that encloses it. The project has an educational, poetic and sensory dimension, through its design and realisation. The exhibit highlights cyclical themes of seasons and growth as well as the natural systems on which any edible productive garden depends. Sustainability was the core message underlying the concept of this public space, addressing issues on how we manage our resources.
The Garden of Plenty is constructed from Irish sourced wood products which originated from sustainably managed Coillte forests. The reusability of the construction lends itself to being used as a public amenity in a community context. The Garden of Plenty was a silver medal winner at the 2013 Bloom Festival. The shortlisting for the Wood awards is another accolade for the project that was conceived and constructed by Woodcollective-Meitheal Adhmaid, an Irish based group promoting the use of wood in architecture, construction and artistic endeavours.
Commenting on the nomination, Woodcollective founder, Eugene Boyle said the shortlisting is another milestone in the journey for the Garden of Plenty, "Recognition of this project by professionals working with wood is a huge honour, and I hope that the extra exposure given to the project will lead to its best use in a community or social environment." The entire project was supported by The Department of Agriculture Food and Marine and there was a strong collaboration with industry, especially in the supply of the main constituents of the garden, with companies including; Murray Timber, Laois Sawmills and Lonza who are members of the Wood Marketing Federation. All productive landscape planting was done by Aqua Landscapes Balivor, and overall construction was in collaboration with J Staunton & Sons (Glenealy) Contractors. The Garden of Plenty was entered in two categories for Wood Ireland awards.Expressions of interest are now being sought from social and community groups with a view to The Garden of Plenty being adapted for a more permanent home and use.
Crann Director elected to UN body  Irish deputy on team of specialists on green jobs in the forest sector
Congratulations to Crann Director Diarmuid McAree, who was recently elected Vice-
Chairman at the inaugural meeting of the Team of Specialists on Green Jobs in the Forest Sector (Joint ILO/ECE/FAO Expert Network). The committee meeting was held under the auspices of the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section at Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
New Planning Regulator lacks ability to regulate
An Taisce is largely disappointed with the proposed arrangements for the Office of Planning Regulation which is set out in the recently published General Scheme of Planning and Development No.2 Bill 2014.
 It falls far short from the appointment of an Independent Planning Regulator as called for by the Mahon Tribunal. The proposed arrangement will see the Office of the Planning Regulator established as a new office which is separate from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It will be a required to inform the minister if development plans prepared comply with national policy. However, it is at the discretion of the Minister as to whether he or she will issue a direction to the local authority, ordering them to change a plan. The proposed Regulator would, therefore, only appear to have an advisory role as opposed to any powers of regulation.
Speaking on the General Scheme, Ian Lumley of An Taisce said 'we need an independent Planning Regulator who not only is free from political influence when undertaking independent inquiries, but also have the power to enforce its recommendations. The proposed arrangement will see the Regulator advising the Minister only, not regulating'.
Concluding Ian Lumley said: "we desperately need a planning system in which the public can have confidence, something the Department cannot achieve with internal investigations and directions".
Enforcement and even the ability to enforce has been the Achilles' heel of the achievement of sustainable development and land-use planning in Ireland and must, therefore, now, at this critical juncture be the focus of any proposed Planning Regulator.
Click here for General Scheme of Planning and Development No.2 Bill 2014Irish Seed Savers Association NEW 2015 "5 to 1" Appeal
Ireland's food security is in your hands!
The vision behind our "5 to 1" Appeal is that for every 5 varieties of seed you plant you also plant an Open Pollinated variety. Open pollination is the general term associated with the natural means by which plants reproduce, exchange characteristics from generation to generation and also allows you to save your own seeds from them, keeping the heritage variety alive.
By choosing Irish Seed Savers' Open Pollinated Seeds you contribute to keeping food security in your hands, Irish agricultural biodiversity alive and vibrant as well as the tradition and skills of seed saving. All of the seeds we cultivate are 100% Organic, grown in Ireland but more importantly are Open Pollinated.
Support Ireland's heritage, support her rare and rich biodiversity and support our "5 to 1 Appeal".To find out more about Open Pollination variety seeds click here
Fluoride Free Towns - Galway County Council Fluoride Resolution
Galway Councillors passed a motion of opposition to compulsory water fluoridation in Ireland at a meeting on Monday, 26th January.
The motion, tabled by Cllr Jim Cuddy (NP) and seconded by Cllr Sean Canney  (NP), "That this Council records its opposition to the current policy of water fluoridation in Ireland, based on documented research that shows a decrease dental caries in all western countries irrespective of whether the water is fluoridated or not, as well as research which shows the effect of fluoride to be topical not systemic (ie works at the location not through the body); calls on the Government to organise a national referendum on water fluoridation in the next 18 months, (possibly in tandem with another referendum), which will educate the public thoroughly on both sides of the debate and allow their voice to be heard on this important public health issue; and that a letter recording this resolution shall be forwarded directly to the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment and CC'd to all cabinet Ministers, requesting the matter to be discussed at cabinet level."
The motion received unanimous support amongst Councillors of all political affiliation across the chamber floor including Mr Jim Cullen, The Director of Services for Water and the Environment who was present at the meeting.
Cllr Jim Cuddy when contacted for comment said, "He welcomed the motion receiving unanimous support and that he was glad to see Galway calling for an end to the practice of compulsory water fluoridation in conjunction with and supporting 7 other major Council's who've taken similar positions over the past year including Wexford and Leitrim who followed suit just two weeks ago and that he hoped the Department of Health would heed Galway's resolution today."
Councils for some 2 million people have now publicly called on the Government to scrap the current policy of mandatory public water fluoridation in Ireland over the past year who've publicly taken positions of opposition to involuntary medication through an outdated and dangerous statewide public health policy which continues to inflict irreversible cosmetic and structural malformation damage to the teeth (fluorosis) of close to 40% of the population, threatens the country's very valuable food and beverage sector of the economy in addition to blatantly contravening legal conditions that were imposed when the policy was given the go ahead in 1964 which otherwise renders the policy as unconstitutional and illegal. Not one other European Country maintain a similar mandatory public water fluoridation policy in 2015 due to health, environmental, legal or ethical concerns as a result of ongoing scientific and medical objection.
RARE YOUNG KEMP'S RIDLEY MARINE TURTLE FOUND ON DONEGAL BAY BEACH
Coastwatch has urged the volunteers to be on the lookout for any unusual coastal discoveries.
 On Christmas Day 2014 Aoife Flynn found a dead turtle swept up on the rocks of Rossnowlagh beach. The Donegal Coastwatcher photographed the reptile carefully from all sides.
'The one foot long marine turtle with an unusual beak and some damage to the top of its shell ridges, appeared to have died shortly before being found', said Aoife, who then called Coastwatch HQ and put the animal into her deep freeze. Karin Dubsky Coastwatch coordinator noted: There is no state guidance or protocol in these situations. All offices were closed. Aoife's photographs and body preservation was the best thing to do.
Coastwatch then searched for someone to do a necropsy (i.e. animal autopsy) to establish possible cause of death and examine stomach content. There was no doubt that this was an unusual find and so the first task was to accurately identify the specimen.
The necropsy was arranged through the Coastwatch network and Noirin Burke in Galway Aquarium who found a vet, Shirley Ann Alcorn at Donegal Animal Hospital in Letterkenny to host it. Dr Trish Murphy, herpetologist and Coastwatch regional coordinator, performed the necropsy with colleague Mark Daly.
Trish summarized results:
'The animal had an almost empty stomach, with only a bit of gelatinous matter - possibly jellyfish remains - and one fine plastic fiber as you would get from rope. Tissue samples and the shell have been saved for further analysis. There was no obvious cause of death by obstruction, desease, or injury. The top of ridges of the shell were damaged but could have happened as the turtle was swept up on rocks at the Rossnowlagh beach'.
Coastwatch has urged the general public to be on the lookout for any unusual coastal discoveries. Contact Karin Dubsky (Coastwatch Coordinator) at 086 8111 684 or kdubsky@coastwatch.org, or team members with special expertise as listed at end of this report.
The European Tree of the Year 2015: Have Your Say!
Brussels, 1st February 2015 - Voting for the European Tree of the Year 2015 has just been opened. During the whole month of February every individual have the possibility to vote for his or her favourite tree online at www.treeoftheyear.org. This year fourteen countries have taken part in national tree of the year contests, newly welcoming Belgium, England, Estonia and Spain to the contest. Now is time for the national winning trees to compete for the title of European Tree of the Year!
 | | Ireland's nomination Matt Fogarty and his Cedar of Lebanon need your vote! |
This edition 2014/2015 of the Tree of the Year contest has had fourteen amazing treescoming from villages, cities, regions and countries from all over Europe. "This is a very special edition, because the contest is growing bigger but the stories of the trees remain rooted into local peoples' lives" says Andrea Krupová, contest coordinator from the Environmental Partnership Association. Beginning today, people have the opportunity to choose their favourite stories among trees from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain and Wales. The winning trees are not the most beautiful or the biggest, but the trees which stories are most touching, the trees whose roots are more deepen into the living of the local people that surrounds them. Now it is up to the public which tree will win the European Tree of the Year contest, but choosing one will definitely not be an easy task, as some fourteen amazing stories are competing. The Belgian tree of the year is a historical magic tree that used to be seen as a healing tool since the Middle Ages. Robert de Graeff, contest coordinator for SBNL in Belgium: "The Flemish region has quite fascinating stories related to trees and we are very proud that this healing tree in the province of Limburg could become the European Tree of the Year 2015". Estonia, another of the newly joined countries, nominated an Oak tree in the middle of a football stadium, which has attracted already a lot of interest, as well as the English Major Oak from Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, where is believed Robin Hood and his merry men used to find a shelter. Last but not least from our novices Spain is competing with the Pollarded poplar from Aguilar del Alfambra, Aragón, which was selected to symbolise 800 year of pollarding in the region for the Pollard Poplar Festival. For more details about the European Tree of the Year, please visit www.treeoftheyear.orgYou can download the pictures of the finalists Here
Don't forget, Ireland's nomination Matt Fogarty and his Cedar of Lebanon need your vote! Click here to vote and show your support!
Sonairte Welcomes its Spring Visitors!
Sonairte Visitor Eco-Centre and Gardens re-opened it's gates after the winter break on Tuesday, February 3rd. 
We are looking forward to welcoming back all our valued supporters. The Eco Shop has some special bargain offers this week so why not call in to Sonairte, have a bracing walk on the trail, pick up a bargain in the Eco Shop and enjoy a cup of coffee in the Sunflower Cafe. Click here for the menu.
Irish Wildlife Trust, Waterford Branch Stepped Out in the New Year
Over 60 wildlife enthusiasts braved the biting cold winter winds to take a stroll in the salt marshes and sand dunes at Tramore, County Waterford.
 | | Volunteers brave the elements and march out on the dunes! |
The walk was led by the intrepid master of ceremonies, Ray McGrath with insightful commentary from locals, Alan Walsh and Grace O'Sullivan.
 | | Birds of a feather huddle together! |
 | | Waterford Branch of Irish Wildlife Trust's Bird Man |
 | | Paddy reading a poem from The Book on the Brackstrand by Ollie Breslin and Paddy Dwan |
Irish Peatland Concervation Council - Feile an Dúlra at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre The annual Festival of Nature 'Feile an Dúlra' at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre is launched. The festival runs throughout 2015 offering members of the public a wide variety of opportunities to explore and discover wildlife.  The festival started in February with World Wetlands Day and continues with celebrations including Biodiversity Week in May, World Environment Day in June, International Bog Day in July, Heritage Week in August, Culture Night in September, World Animal Day in October and lots more throughout the year. Each event offer s an introduction into a chosen wildlife theme so taking part in these events throughout the year you will learn about a host of wildlife species and their habitats in a fun and safe environment. For example World Wetlands Day at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in February focused on the amphibian species of Ireland. In July the celebrations will focus on our wonderful Irish peatlands when International Bog Day is celebrated at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. This event is an opportunity to discover the magic of Irish bogs, feel the ground quake beneath your feet as you cross the wet bog and see the bright yellow star shaped flower of Bog Asphodel. Towards the end of the year October brings to the centre World Animal Day where the centre will display its collection of taxidermy wildlife. Get up close to an otter, badger, hare, bittern, snipe, barn owl, fox and lots more. Feile an Dúlra at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre is open to everyone. Some of the events are held during the week, some on weekends and others in the evenings to allow an opportunity for everyone to experience wildlife at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. In 2015 the Bog of Allen Nature Centre has introduced craft of the month where visitors can make a memory of their visit to the centre. The month of January saw visitors making wonderful bookmarks using recycled greeting cards, in February we made St. Bridget's crosses and later in the year you can plant your own sunflower or pumpkin or make dream catchers, there is a craft for every month. The nature centre is open all year round so if you cannot make one of the festival days not to worry. When you visit the Bog of Allen Nature Centre outside these festival days you can expect to find insect eating plants, try to pond dip for freshwater mini beasts or enjoy a walk along the biodiversity trail to Lodge bog. To learn more about the Bog of Allen Nature Centre and the events the Irish Peatland Conservation Council will host in 2015 visit www.ipcc.ie. The Organic Centre - Spectacular Anniversary Offer:Two years membership for the price of one!  Joy Larkcom, gardener, author and honorary member of The Organic Centre (pictured above) says: "Again and again in recent year's I've met people whose lives have been transformed by 'discovering' gardening, and the joy of growing their own. But there is, of course, a lot to learn, and one never stops learning. The Organic Centre in Rossinver has been a key to opening doors to a whole range of skills for individuals, schools, and the community at large. Take advantage of this spectacular offer to enable them to expand and continue their inspiring work."
Family membership €60, individual membership €40.
As a member you:
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Will be supporting a project that promotes a sensitive form of land uses that can be economic, viable and environmentally friendly.
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Will receive free entry to the Organic Centre, including events, (but not fundraising events).
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Will receive a 10% discount on courses, seed purchases and purchases in the shop.
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Will have access to free advice on particular gardening queries you may have.
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Will receive our regular e-zine The Chronicle.
For more details call 071-9854338 or visit www.theorganiccentre.ie
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Food Rescue being held in Carlow
Environmental group Voice are empowering local groups and communities to hold 'Food Rescue' dinners with food that would have been thrown away or rejected by supermarkets, businesses and restaurants.
A series of events have been run around the country with huge success.
Last month some 500 people attended a Food Rescue event in Clonakilty. Attendees had a meal from recovered food, saw a compost demonstration and viewed the film' Trashed'. Read more here
The next event will be held in Carlow town on February 26th.
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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.
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Visit to the Millennium Community Garden
This will involve a tour of the garden followed by lunch. The garden contains vegetable and fruit beds, poly-tunnel, water collection and storage, and an alternative energy site. After lunch we plan to have a pruning and propagation session. John Harrington of Fingal County Council has kindly agreed to give the demonstration on pruning apples, currants, gooseberries and a range of hybrid berries.
There are plenty of plants so lots of opportunity to take home cuttings. People should bring their own secateurs if possible and wear warm clothes.
Date: Saturday 14th February @ 11 am
Location: Millennium Community Garden, Coolmine, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Cost: Free!
Contact: rmoss@eeu.antaisce.org
+353 (0) 14002212
Website: www.greencommunitiesireland.or
| The race is on to record most birds!
The annual Wicklow County Bird Race organised by the local branch of BirdWatch Ireland takes place this year on Sunday February 8. The race will start at 7.45 a.m. sharp and will finish at 6.30 p.m. at The Beehive Inn, on the N11 south of Rathnew. The objective is to record as many species as possible in one day within the Wicklow County boundaries. Teams should consist of teams of four to five people per car at a cost of €5 per person. Date: Sunday 8th February Location: meeting at car park at the southern end of Bray seafront promenade beside the amusements for 7.30 a.m. Cost: €5 per person Contact: www.facebook.com/birdwatchwicklow/ |
Stop Climate Chaos is organising a day of action to 'Fix the Climate Bill'
The Climate Bill is due in the Dáil next week. But it's too weak to deliver the low-carbon future it promises. Please email your local TDs urging them to Fix The Bill, click here for writing tips.
The email asks them to at least support the simple changes proposed by the all-party Oireachtas environment committee and asks them to come over to Buswells Hotel next Tuesday, the 10th, where Stop Climate Chaos will be hosting briefings with individual TDs from 11am to 8pm.
If you can come to Buswells next Tuesday, please do follow-up the email with a phone call to your TDs' offices in Leinster House (01-6183000) to tell them you'll be there and that you'd like to meet them.
Do let us know if your TD agrees to meet you.
We need to Fix The Bill, and with your help we can!
Date: Tuesday 10th February, 11am to 8pm
Location: Buswell Hotel,
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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
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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. LeitrimCost: €130 plus small charge for materials Contact: (0)71 985 4338 Website: www.theorganicecentre.ie
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Talk - "Wildlife and Conservation in the Slieve Bloom Mountains
Great talk coming up mid February so be sure to come along and see whats wild in the Sleeve Blooms and hear about the associated challenges and rewards of conservation on our local mountain range.
The talk will be hosted by Jason Monaghan, a Conservation Ranger with National Parks and Wildlife Service NPWS.
Date: Thursday 19th February, 6:45 - 7:45 pm.
Location: Tullamore Library, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Cost: Free!
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Fossil Fuel Divestment - Dublin
Dublin joins hundreds of towns and cities around the world in calling for divestment from fossil fuels.
Please join us and show the rest of the country that:
To keep within the 'safe' 2 degrees warming limit, 80% of fossil fuel reserves have to stay in the ground. This means fossil fuel companies are significantly overvalued and represent a serious investment risk.
Together, we will show that we are a truly global and growing force to be reckoned with. As the fossil fuel industry throws more money at fossil fuel expansion, we will turn up the volume of our divestment movement. And we won't stop until we win.
Join us for Global Divestment Day on February 13 and 14 and together, let's make fossil fuels history.
Location: TBA
Cost: Free
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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
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Good Food, Good Farming Conference
ARC 2020 platform, Friends of the Earth Europe and the organic movement IFOAMEU, in collaboration with the European Economic and Social Committee invite you to a conference on the future of farming and food, on fair trade and sustainable rural policies.
This event brings together representatives from civil society, grassroots groups, researchers national/ regional authorities, policymakers and more to:
1. Assess the implementation of the reformed CAP 2014-2020, prospects of agricultural sustainability and of rural renaissance.
2. Identify milestones to support transition of food and agriculture systems based on agroecological approaches.
So YOU are invited to work with civil society partners to develop a roadmap towards good food, good farming and a living countryside!
Date: Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th February
Location: Building of the European and Social Committee (JDE Building), Rue Belliard 99, Brussles
Contact: brussels@arc2020.eu
stine.nielsen@foeeurope.org
Website: arc2020.eu
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Consultations & Submissions
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25th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium - "Environ 25: Sustainability and Opportunities for Change"
The 25th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (Environ 2015) will be held at the Institute of Technology, Sligo from April 8th to 10th
2015. It will be co-hosted by IT Sligo (Department of Environmental Science, School of Science) and the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI).
We have a brand new Science building at IT Sligo for you to visit! This is where our strategic environmental research centre CERIS is based and moreover where our undergraduate science students begin their research development in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Are we sustainable? The 25th Anniversary colloquium theme addresses the need to review environmental change since the very first Environ was held in IT Sligo (then Sligo RTC). Although technologies and knowledge transfer systems have developed exponentially since 1990, major challenges to global sustainability have concurrently evolved. Is current Irish environmental research optimising research to deliver management and policy recommendations towards sustainability? The colloquium will investigate current sustainability actions while addressing opportunities for positive changes in engagement.
ENVIRON is the longest running and largest forum for environmental researchers in Ireland with over 275 delegates attending the event annually. It provides a high-visibility platform for young researchers to present their findings to an audience drawn from academia, government bodies and industry.
The conference will begin on Wednesday, 8th April 2015 with two education and training workshops on offer to delegates:
Environ Workshop 1: Introduction to the use of R in Environmental Statistics
Environ Workshop 2: Communicating Research
There is a small fee of €10 for each workshop that needs to be paid when booking the event.
Environ 25 will open to the public on the evening of Wednesday April 8th with a question and answers style panel debate on the popular topic of 'Paying for our water: quality and quantity matter'. The panel of five speakers will include politicians, academics, the media, and water industry representatives. The event will be free and open to members of the public, local stakeholders, professionals and students. This debate will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise on this environmental issue of concern with local communities.
Thursday morning kicks off with a plenary session where three high profile speakers will deliver sustainability keynote presentations before the roll-out of more than 150 oral and poster presentations from mid-morning until Friday lunchtime.
Registration is available online at www.environ2015.org.
The call for oral and poster presentations begins on January 12th 2015 and closes on February 20th 2015. The themes of the sessions of this year's colloquium have been chosen to accommodate the widest possible participation and span a broad spectrum of activities from the physical, life and social sciences. Submissions are invited from the following thematic areas:
Water quality and Resources, Wastewater management, Waste management, Climate change, Energy, Environmental Policy and Communication, Environmental Socioeconomics, Environment and Human Health, Air Quality and Urban development, Marine and Coastal. Biodiversity, Sustainability and Research Innovation, Nanotechnology and the Environment, Invasive species, Sustainable agriculture, Sustainability and Roads.
To ensure a high standard of submission, all abstracts will be peer-reviewed by an academic committee comprising of experts in all the topics addressed within the session themes. Presenters who have submitted posters will be offered the opportunity to summarise their findings in a one-minute oral presentation at the end of an oral session. Prizes for the best overall oral and poster presentations and in a number of selected topics will be on offer again this year, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
The registration fees for ENVIRON 2015 are as follows:
Students/Reduced/Seniors/NGO: €100
Student Group Discount Rate (groups of ten): €75
The conference gala dinner will take place at the Clarion Hotel, Sligo and tickets cost €25.00 for a three course meal. We strongly encourage all delegates to come to this event which will include plenty of entertainment.
The Clarion Hotel is also the conference hotel and special rates have been negotiated with the hotel and with other hotels, B and B's and hostels in Sligo. Please organise your accommodation directly and quote 'ENVIRON2015' for the discounted room rate (click here for further details)
We look forward to welcoming you all to IT Sligo!
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Research Assistant at Beaufort in University College Cork (UCC)Job Posted: 27 Jan 2015
Closing Date for Applications: 27 Feb 2015
Department: Beaufort
School: Environmental Research Institute
College: College of Science, Engineering and Food Science
Contract Type: Fixed Term Whole-Time
Job Type: Research
Salary: €19,665 - €29,637 Research Assistant Salary Scale
Position Summary:
Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant to join Beaufort in University College Cork (UCC), based on the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Ireland. Beaufort is a key research centre within UCC's Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and has over 20 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. Research and consultancy in Beaufort is undertaken by staff with a range of specialist backgrounds, all of whom work collaboratively in a project-focussed environment where inter-disciplinarity is encouraged and fostered. The successful candidate will join the Applied Earth Observation and GIS Group and contribute to research activities that focus on different aspects of EO data research, processing, and communicating research outputs. Knowledge and understanding of Earth Observation data, EO data processing, and its maritime applications (at national and internationals) are essential qualities for this position. Science communications experience and preparation of material for peer-review would also be advantageous.
Post Duration: 12 months (initially)
Research Assistant
This title will apply to a person of appropriate qualifications e.g., BSc or an MSc, employed on a contract for the purpose of assisting in the performance of research in the University. A Research Assistant will usually work under the direction of one or more Principal Investigator's/Senior Researchers within a dedicated laboratory on one or more research projects.
Key duties and responsibilities
- To critically evaluate, process, analyse, and apply maritime satellite-derived Earth Observation datasets.
- To coordinate and implement communications strategies within a multi-national collaborative initiative.
- To support the implementation of Stakeholder engagement and consultation activities.
- To work under the direction of the Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
- To provide assistance in conducting research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of a research project.
- To coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and some interpretation of information/results.
- To undertake tasks which may include recording results and preparing technical reports including conclusions and recommendations.
- To coordinate the development of forms, questionnaires and the application of qualitative and quantitative research techniques; write procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
- To present information on research progress and outcomes to others responsible for the research project.
- To provide guidance as required to any support staff and/or research students assisting with the research project, as agreed with the Principal Investigator/Grant holder.
- Ideally to contribute to the publication of findings.
- To confer with the Principal Investigator in developing plans for research projects and to discuss the interpretation of results and the preparation of manuscripts for publication.
- To perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Criteria
- Experience in processing and applying Earth Observation datasets in a maritime context.
- Experience in event organisation and management.
- Experience in development and application of web-based communications tools
- A graduate qualification in a field of discipline relevant to the area of investigation i.e. BSc or MSc.
- Some research experience is desirable.
- Good report writing and presentation skills
- Previous laboratory experience and practices are desired.
- Good analytical skills and computer skills.
- An ability to work independently to a tight schedule.
- Capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
- Evidence of excellent organisational and communication skills.
- High levels of initiative are encouraged.
For Informal Enquiries on the post candidates should contact: Grainne Lynch (Executive Assistant, Beaufort) at grainne.lynch@ucc.ie or on +353 (0)21 470 3100
To Apply: Please submit a short cover letter and C.V. to Grainne Lynch, grainne.lynch@ucc.ie, +353 (0)21 470 3100, on or before the closing date February 27th, 2015. Supplementary Information on the Department/Research Centre and the post is available here.
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 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.iePlease 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) |
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