Dates for your diary...
Making the connection
There is a "disconnect" between economic development policies and sustainable management of our vital resources, writes Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council in the latest issue of Heritage Outlook, the council's magazine.
"It would be worrying to see this disconnect widen even further in a time of budget restraints," he adds.
Starrett cites New York City's strategic protection of the watershed (on almost 2,000 square miles of land 200 miles from the city) as an example of how sustainable management of the environment can also make economic sense. The successful project cost $507 million (€403 million), a fraction of what new water filtration systems would have cost (an estimated $8 billion, or €6.35 billion).
Starrett also criticises the cutbacks to funding of the Native Woodland Scheme in Ireland. "Only 1 per cent of our native forests survive. And forests are one of the most cost-effective ways to provide clean drinking water. This scheme encourages new native species planting along rivers and lakes that are vital to our water quality and help reduce landslides, erosion and sediment," he writes. See also www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Harvesting the garden prizes
Congratulations to the owners of the 21 gardens throughout Ireland that won awards in this year's Corrin Hill Ice Cream Biodiversity Garden Awards. The use of organic and traditional natural gardening methods, such as composting, collecting rain water and providing food, water and shelter for wildlife, were the main features of the award-winning gardens. Best Urban Garden was Judy Friel's, in Glenageary, Co Dublin, which includes layers of native trees and shrubs and beds of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. Best Rural Garden was Carla Blake's traditional cottage garden in Conna, Co Cork, which has water butts, log piles, nest boxes, a pond, lawns and a wildflower area. The Best School and Community Garden award was won by Scoil Bhríde, Shantalla, Galway City. The schoolchildren grow fruit and vegetables from seed and care for the growing plants before they harvest and cook them. See www.corrinhill.ie.
Be a Young Environmentalist
Calling all young people interested in doing environmental projects in their schools or youth clubs. The deadline for registering projects for next year's Young Environmentalist Awards is next Friday. Environmental projects must cover subject areas which broadly protect the local environment, prevent environmental damage and promote environmental awareness. Since its creation in 1999, the Eco-Unesco award scheme has attracted more than 10,000 entries from 12- to 18-year olds throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland. There are three ways of registering projects for next year's awards: online at www.ecunesco.ie, by phoning Karen Sheeran on 01-6625491 or by e-mail to yea@ecounesco.ie on or before November 28th. The closing date for completed projects is February 27th, 2009.
Bog people
The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is holding its Christmas open day on Sunday, November 30th from noon to 4pm. Visitors to the centre in Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare, can join guided tours of the peatland museum and the carnivorous plant exhibition. There will also be craft workshops and pond-dipping sessions for children. Telephone 045-860133 or see www.ipcc.ie for more details.
ECOWEB
www.borderlands-ireland.com If you're planning a visit to counties Down, Armagh,Louth or Monaghan, this site will guide you to the historical gems in the area. A nicely designed site with maps and images galore.
