RE-LEAF OPERATION:Back in the early 1990s, Offaly-based beef farmer Ken Gill contacted Crann, the voluntary organisation that aims to re-leaf Ireland, for help on how to develop an area of unmanaged semi-natural woodland on his farm. His patch of scrubland subsequently became an award-winning bio-diverse woodland.
Now Gill has joined forces with the British woodlands author Julian Evans to write an Irish Edition of
Badgers, Beeches and Blisters
– tree planting and woodland ownership. It is a one-stop, must-read guide to owning your own wood, with beautiful illustrations and details on growing and caring for trees, selling timber, encouraging wildlife and getting grant aid. It is available from Crann, tel. 01-6275075 or e-mail info@crann.ie
CAP AND SHARE
Cap and Share, an approach to tackling climate change developed by Irish-based Feasta, has been hailed by the Sustainable Development Commission in Britain as a Breakthrough Idea of the 21st Century “which could transform the UK into a sustainable society”. The idea is that to stop climate change, we need to cap – or limit – our carbon emissions, and share the income generated by whatever fossil fuels are used. Cap and Share is also gaining ground within the UN, with support from key climate change executives. See capandshare.org
NATURE DETECTIVES
A training course in the collection, identification and documentation of Ireland’s freshwater mini-beasts takes place on Friday, August 21st, at WIT, Waterford. Hosted by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, in collaboration with the EPA, the half-day course will train young wildlife enthusiasts in the skills and methods needed to survey freshwater wildlife.
The course is suitable for 10- to 15-year-olds, and admission is €15. Booking and payment in advance is essential. See biodiversityireland.ie or e-mail info@biodiversityireland.ie *
sthompson@irishtimes.com
ECOWEB
cat.org.uk
The Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Wales, is a great source of free information on everything from home energy audits to reusing waste water from sinks and baths.