HorizonsA group of Irish conservation organisations has formed an alliance to encourage people to appreciate the importance of a healthy natural environment. The alliance, which is called Working for Educating for Biodiversity (Web) will campaign to prevent further loss of habitats and species, and will work with state bodies to help restore endangered wildlife and habitats.
It will also lobby for the full implementation of EU directives which will help Ireland meet its targets to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 as part of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The member groups of Web are An Taisce, Bat Conservation Ireland, Birdwatch Ireland, Coastwatch Ireland, Eco-Unesco, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the Irish Wildlife Trust. The alliance will mount an exhibition on Nature and Biodiversity in Ireland in Enfo, Andrew St, Dublin from December 18th to January 11th, 2008. A programme of workshops and talks will be held during the exhibition. See also www.enfo.ie
Energy-saving families wanted
Calling householders, businesses and schools keen to have an energy makeover: the Power of One campaign is seeking five new recruits to adopt energy-saving habits in their daily lives and reap the benefits both in reduced financial outlay and carbon dioxide emissions. This new drive to highlight the benefits of energy efficiency follows on from this year's campaign in which eight families demonstrated how they reduced their energy bills by adopting more energy-efficient habits in their homes.
The new recruits will be monitored from February to May 2008, starting with an energy audit by energy expert Aodhán Mac Pháidín. Regular updates of the participants' performance will feature on www.powerofonestreet.ie The deadline for entries to next year's campaign is January 1st, 2008. Power of One is a public awareness campaign encouraging everyone to be more energy efficient in their daily lives.
Gardening in the classroom
Schools keen to rejuvenate or indeed establish a school garden will find some useful information in Paddy Madden's The School Garden - What to Do and When to Do It.The booklet (second edition) describes how to construct a garden and outlines month-by-month activities on care and maintenance. It also suggests class activities and includes useful web links. Paddy Madden is well-known for his work with the school garden in Scoil Treasa, Donore Avenue, Dublin and with the Hope Project and Heritage in Schools scheme (more details from www.into.ie). Copies (€12) are available by post from Paddy Madden, Tuckmilltown, Straffan, Co Kildare. E-mail paddy.madden@mie.ie Meanwhile, Dublin City Council is currently distributing water butts (to collect rainwater for use in school gardens) and hippo bags (to put in toilet cisterns) to all schools in Dublin City. The distribution of these water conserving devices are part of the council's Conserve Water in Schools campaign. A resource pack also shows schoolchildren how they can put a stop to water wastage in their schools. See also www.dublincity.ie
Eco Web
www.cbd.int
The website of the Convention on Biological Diversity explains how local communities, parliamentarians and business people can become involved in the protection of natural habitats and wildlife around the world
