Let's celebrate Biodiversity!

22 May 2008

Free fun public events will be hosted all across the island of Ireland during Biodiversity Week 2008. Many of Ireland's environmental groups are taking part in  6 'shows', involving treasure hunts, workshops, guided nature walks, displays, markets, talks, and much more.  All will have a theme of Nature, celebrating its diversity, and how each of us can help protect and restore the habitats, animals and plants around us.

Members of the public are being encouraged to come along to the free events, where music and food will be provided along with a multitude of family events, celebrity speakers, and eye opening walks and workshops. The international flagship event on Biodiversity Day itself (22nd May) will take place in Malahide Castle with European Union embassies and guest of honour Minister John Gormley.

Biodiversity – It's the Variety in Nature that gives us Life

Biodiversity, or Biological diversity, refers to the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the butterflies in your garden and the plants they feed from to predatory eagles and the biggest whales in the sea.  Biodiversity is also the basis of human existence, our life support system.  Come along to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity, have fun and find out more, with a day / weekend of arts and crafts, talks, walks, and hands on workshops, all around the theme of biodiversity.   

Events are free of charge unless otherwise stated. See www.noticenature.ie for details. 

Some exemples:

Malahide Castle, 22 nd May (World Biodiversity Day) 10.30 to 12.30 Coastwatch is organizing a celebration and information event at the EU enlargement and biodiversity monument – a sundial and millstone with inlay of animals and plants, one for each of the then 25 member countries of the EU.  After an address by the Minister and a toast to European biodiversity, each country representative will name their species in their own language. 

Biodiversity Shows 24 th and 25 th May 2008  Airfield, Dundrum, Dublin 14: Talks by Duncan Stewart and Eanna Ni Lamhna. Organic and Biodynamic wine-tasting, Birds of Prey display, Farmer's Market stalls, build your own bat-box, bring an instrument and join in a Traditional Music Session. Further Details: 01 298 4301 www.airfield.ie

Irish Seed Savers Association, Scariff, Co. Clare: 25 th May Organic food stalls, Horse-Drawn Harrowing and Cob Building demonstrations, Mini-Beast hunt for children as well as displays of traditional crops and animals. Further Details: 061 921866 www.irishseedsavers.ie

The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim: 25 th May Demonstrations on Biodiversity in Organic Gardening and Companion Planting. A guided tour of Dough Mountain protected site. Further Details: 071 9854338 www.theorganiccentre.ie

Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Lullymore, Co. Kildare: 25 th May