Young readers should be getting their projects registered for next year's Young Environmentalist's Award. Once you decide in which category - air, water, energy, waste or biodiversity - your group (of 2-5 people) wishes to submit work, return the completed registration form (along with a one-page project summary) before October 27th. The competition, run by Ballygowan/Eco, has a junior (for 12-15 year olds) and a senior section (for 16-18 year olds). Forms available from ECO, 26 Clare St, Dublin 2. Contact the helpline on 01-6625491/6625493 if you have problems.
EARLY morning Dublin readers of The Irish Times may just about have time to slip on their walking shoes and head for the Kings Inns Library, in Henrietta Street, for 10 a.m. This is the starting point for a walking tour of the north inner-city buildings of note, including the Frederick Darley Library in the Kings Inn, the 18thcentury house on Henrietta Street, the buildings of Broadstone Station and the Francis Johnson range of buildings at Grangegorman. The next walking tour organised by the Irish Georgian Society is on November 11th. Price £5. Tel: 016767053.
FROM Rum to Rumi, Cross-cultural Encounters in the Art of Medieval Anatolia is the title of a day-long conference today at UCD. Organised by the Department of Classics and the Department of the History of Art, this is the second in a series focusing on aspects of cultural interaction around the medieval Mediterranean. Tel: 01-7068679.
FOLLOWING the first European sighting of a blue-winger warbler (a small bright yellow bird with blue wings) on Cape Clear Island two weeks ago, birdwatchers are still delighted. However, a recent report by two leading ornithologists has some bad news for Irish birdwatchers. It notes the severe decline of several well-known species, including the grey partridge, the turtle dove and the yellowhammer. The decline in cereal growing and the increasing use of pesticides and herbicides is believed to be the cause.
Website: www.irisheritage.ie
A lecture explaining what painting conservation involves, the best environment in which to keep paintings, and how you can tell an original from a fake is being given by conservator Ciara Brennan, under the auspices of the Irish Professional Conservators' and Restorers' Association, which was formed in the 1980s. The lecture is part of a series to be held at the headquarters of the Dublin Civic Trust, 4 Castle Street, Dublin 2, over the next few months. The first lecture is on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Ciara Brennan specialises in the conservation of easel paintings (rather than works of art on paper) but don't take along any of your Old Masters for authentication! Contact the Irish Georgian Society, tel: 016767053.
THE Heritage Council of Ireland has increased to 11 the total of full-time local heritage officers. Heritage officers are now in place in counties Sligo, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Wicklow, Tipperary North and also in Dublin and Galway cities. In the next few weeks, officers will be appointed to positions shared between local authorities in Longford/Westmeath and Laois/Offaly.
The jobs are part of a three-year pilot project co-funded by the Heritage Council and local authorities. Each officer is to develop and implement a local heritage plan. The council hopes to have 34 full-time heritage officers by the end of 2002.
The building and restoration of 2 Pery Square, Limerick, is the theme of Des O'Sullivan's lecture in the house on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Price £3. Enquiries to the Limerick branch of the Irish Georgian Society. Tel: 061-314130.
Web World
www.wildireland.ie
THIS bright, friendly award-winning site invites you to go on an eco-holiday, search through a 200-species Irish wildlife library, visit an underwater webcast or shop at the wildshop. The countrywide listing of recycling outlets is an excellent feature.
Save The Planet
SAVE ENERGY: In cold weather, it's tempting to switch the central heating button to constant while you are home. Using the timer on the boiler is a much healthier, energy-saving and cheaper way to heat your house. Put a central heating thermostat in the room where you spend most of your waking hours and set it at around 18-20 degrees C. Draught strip doors and windows, lag your hot-water tank and try when possible to buy energy-efficient energy appliances. Ensure that lighting, heating and all electrical and electronic equipment are switched off when rooms are not in use.
E-mail: horizons@irish-times.ie
