This year we are running a number of special events which are free to the public but spaces are limited. To secure a space just visit our website and fill out the online form to have your name entered into a draw to attend.
Here are the details of three of the events. Keep and eye on the biodiversity week website to find out more.
Observe Marine birds and mammals on a trip around Dublin's Lambay Island 
This famously private island off Dublin's coast is a biodiversity hot spot. The island boasts the biggest cormorant colony in Ireland and Britain as well as the most significant seal colony on Ireland's east coast.
Participants will leave Malahide in the afternoon and travel by boat around the elusive island viewing the bird and marine life that swarm its coasts. The expedition will be led by marine experts Johnny Woodlock and John Daly of the Irish Seal Sanctuary. They will be on hand to answer all your questions about wildlife on the island.
Date: Wednesday 27th
Location: Malahide
Time: 3pm to 5.30pm
This is a ticket only event. To put you name into a draw for a ticket click here.
Badger watching in a Dublin park by night
Ecologist Billy Flynn of the Irish Wildlife Trust will show people by day a badger set and explore how this secretive animal lives. Then at night in a Dublin park they will attempt to see badgers forage. This animal is famously evasive so there are no guarantees but participants will get to see camera traps and find out how to monitor badgers with minimal impact. This will take place in a secret location because badgers are still persecuted. Mr Flynn will discuss the issue of badger baiting and culling with participants.
Date: Tuesday 26th
Location: A Dublin park (participants will be told of the location and it is easily accessible by bus or car)
Time: 8.30pm until late
This is a ticket only event. To put you name into a draw for a ticket click here.
Watching the lesser horseshoe bat emerge to forage in Limerick
Dr Kate McAney of the Vincent Wildlife Trust will bring participants to a roost used by the lesser horseshoe bat in an abandoned stately home in Limerick. This rare
creature has taken up residence in Curragh Chase House twenty kilometers from Limerick city.
Dr McAney will discuss her work exploring the different bat colonies on Ireland's west coast. The Vincent Wildlife Trust are currently working to unite the two main colonies of lesser horseshoe bat to help strengthen the species. At present two colonies exist one north of Limerick and one from Killarney south. The VWT are looking to bridge the gap in north Kerry by building suitable habitat along a route to bring the two families together in a project called 'Linking the Lessers'.
Date: Thursday 28th
Location: Curragh Chase House, Co Limerick
Time: 8.30pm until 11pm
This is a ticket only event. To put you name into a draw for a ticket click here.
Get Snapping for Biodiversity Week Photo Competitions
If you are a keen amateur photographer that loves to capture striking landscapes, migration spectacles or dramatic close-up images of birds and mammals then we have the competition for you.
Nothing captures Ireland's beautiful natural environment better than photograph, so as part of Ireland's Biodiversity Week 2015 we are running two photo competitions; for enthusiastic amateurs and smartphone snappers alike.
Biodiversity Photographer of the Year 2015
We are inviting amateur photographers to submit images that capture the drama and beauty of Ireland's wildlife and landscapes.
The theme of the photo competition in 2015 is 'Biodiversity for Sustainable Development' to coincide with the theme of the International Day of Biological Diversity and the work being carried out this year on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We interpret this as relating to: nature in urban spaces, sustainable farming, habitats and species threatened by development, species that have adapted to development, initiatives to reduce biodiversity loss, understanding the importance of biodiversity, and the celebration of biodiversity in all its forms. Photographs entered must be consistent with the theme.
The winner will be determined by a judging panel whose decision is final.
Prize: The winner will receive €500, with second place receiving €200 and third place €100.
Send entries to: competition@ien.ie
Deadline for entry: 5pm 29th May 2015
#bidiweek Smartphone Snapper Competition
In our second competition we are looking for people to capture Ireland's biodiversity through their smartphone.
Tech savvy entrants can submit short video clips or still images uploaded to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Vine which capture something special about Ireland's biodiversity.
All you have to do to enter is to attach the hashtag #bidiweek to your image or clip and when we favourite or like it then you will have entered.
Images will have to be consistent with the theme of Biodiversity for Sustainable Development. Ideas include: capturing nature in urban spaces, images of sustainable farming, threatened species and habitats, pictures or clips that highlight the importance of or celebrate Ireland's biodiversity.
Images and clips will be promoted through the IEN social media channels. The winner will be determined by a judging panel whose decision is final.
Prize: The winner will receive €100 with two runner-up prizes of €50 each.
To enter: Tag your image online with the hashtag #bidiweek
Deadline for entry: 5pm 29th May 2015
