A campaign was launched today to get people across Ireland to protect the environment and wildlife.
The first ever National Biodiversity Week kicked off with the sweet sounds of a national dawn chorus in 20 locations around the country.
Family days, bat walks, lectures, and guided walks are among the range of events taking place nationwide throughout the week. "National Biodiversity Week has been organised to raise public awareness and appreciation of our natural environment and to encourage people to take action to protect Ireland's biodiversity," said Lorraine Fitzgerald, programme manager.
"There are many simple things that people can do, such as planting a native Irish tree or plant in their garden or installing a bird box on their balcony."
The Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government is working with 14 environmental organisations to host the events, which are listed on www.noticenature.ie. On Tuesday - to mark International Biodiversity Day - coastwatchers around the country will take to the beaches to watch and photograph the variety of species living along our coastline.
Keen photographers are also asked to take snaps of the wildlife or greenery in their area, from a bug to a tree, to be displayed online to represent biodiversity in Ireland.
"Ireland still has wonderful shorelines, forests, nature reserves, rivers and streams so go out during Biodiversity week to appreciate and learn more about our environment," added Eanna Dowling, Biodiversity Week Co-ordinator.