Horizons

Finding it difficult to choose Christmas presents for the nature-loving or environmentally-minded friend or family member? If so, here are a few suggestions. You could buy a native Irish tree: while there is quite a selection in tree nurseries throughout the country, Conservation Volunteers Ireland is selling small birch, rowan, cherry and willow trees which are suitable for small urban gardens at £5 each.

You can phone in your order (01-4547185) but the trees have to be collected from the CVI headquarters, 65a Harold's Cross Road, Dublin 6W.

For those who like to shop online or from catalogues, there are some options for environmental gifts. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council has a catalogue full of wildlife Christmas cards, calenders and novelty gifts such as Teach Yourself Irish Garden Bird Songs, themed packs of playing cards (birds, butterflies, trees and mushroom), books, videos and gifts for gardeners. You can order your gifts by post, phone/fax (01-8722397) or e-mail bogs@ipcc.ie. Check out the catalogue at www.ipcc.ie.

Birdwatch Ireland also has a vast array of bird books, binoculars, posters, clothing and bird paraphernalia in its catalogue, available from Wings Shop, Birdwatch Ireland, Ruttledge House, 8 Longford Place, Monkstown, Co Dublin (open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2.15 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday). You can also check out the online catalogue at www.birdwatchireland.ie. The wildlife magazine, Wild Ireland, Ireland's most colourful and collectable bi-monthly magazine, also runs a pretty extensive "wild shop", which you can find online at www.wildireland.ie.

An alternative to buying a tree for planting is to sponsor the planting of one and give the certificate (with a map of the forest and guided tours to your tree at specified visiting times) as a gift. Oak Glen II is the second sustainable broadleaf, mixed age, mixed species plantation, co-ordinated by Crann, the broadleaf tree charity. Certificates cost £25 (€31.75). Oak Glen II is situated in Coolbawn Forest with views across Lough Derg in Co Clare.

For every tree sponsored, 18 are planted, so while some trees will be felled for their timber, oak is the predominant species, which will be grown in rotation over 150 to 200 years with gradual harvesting. You can find full details (and download an application form for a certificate) of the Oak Glen II project on www.crann.ie or tel: 0509-51718.

And finally, for Dublin-based shoppers keen to buy some organic produce or festive nibbles, call into the Cow's Lane Christmas Market in Temple Bar on Wednesday. The on-street stalls are in place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Christmas trees, holly, wreaths and mistletoe will also be on sale there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.