Gardeners boost biodiversity:Gardens are essential habitats in the race to protect our declining biodiversity. Planting native or traditional plants gives more food and shelter for birds, butterflies and many other creatures.
Reducing the amount of garden chemicals used, or eliminating them altogether, has enormous benefits for a wide range of struggling species. Given that the number of species globally is declining at a rate unprecedented since the extinction of the dinosaurs, any such efforts are worthwhile. Those with nature-enhancing gardens are invited to enter the Corrin Hill Biodiversity Garden Awards. Everyone from owners of urban and rural gardens of all sizes to community and school gardens are welcome to apply. The closing date for entries is July 31st. Details and application forms are available on www.corrinhill.ie
Permaculture course
Carraig Dúlra, the Living Skills Bank in Co Wicklow, is hosting a three day residential course that incorporates ancient tracking skills with permaculture. The main tutor is Joel Glanzberg from The Tracking Project, New Mexico, who studied with one of permaculture's originators, Bill Mollison. Motivated by the concept that no one culture has it all, Glanzberg will guide participants in how to directly observe nature using permaculture and observation techniques of native cultures. The course takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend. For further details see www.dulra.org
New Dublin TV station
The Powerdown Show, produced by the Sustainable Living Centre, Cultivate, is being broadcast on the recently launched Dublin Community TV. The show comprises 10 20-minute programmes on the context and responses to climate change and peak oil. The series includes interviews with leading thinkers as well as animation and comedy sketches.
DCTV will broadcast 24-7 at Channel 802 on the Chorus and NTL digital cable networks, reaching 200,000 households across Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway and Waterford. The first episode will be shown tomorrow and next Tuesday at 6pm. For the further details see www.dctv.ie
Archaeology archived
Ireland's first dedicated archaeological archive, the Dublin City Archaeological Archive, is managed by the Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street. The Council recently launched guidelines that promote best practice in the archiving of these archaeological records. They provide guidance to private sector archaeologists in meeting their obligation to submit archaeological material. Dublin City Council is the first planning authority to require submission of primary site archaeological records to the Archive as a condition of planning permission.
Initiatives in transition
The Transition process is about re-building community resilience in the face of climate change and energy uncertainty. The national Transition Gathering takes taking place on August 10th at the Irish Green Gathering which runs that weekend in Woodbrook House, Enniscorthy. For full details see www.irishgreengathering.com...
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Presentations by key thinkers on climate change and how to beat the busting property market, including Dave Wetzel, the man behind London's congestion charges, are now available for download.