CELT courses at Imecofarm, Island McGrath, Clarecastle, Co.Clare 2012 : Dry-stone Walling (and introduction to use of lime mortar)   June 9,10 Natural Building – Cob, Cordwood, Wattle and Daub     June 30, July 1  Natural Building – Simple Shelter (for clay oven to be built following day)      July 28 Build Your Own Clay Oven     July 29 Blacksmithing    Aug 18,19 Irish Herbs and Their Uses  8 Sept Wood Carving – Choice of Projects     15 / [...]

LifestyleGreen 2012 hosted by (NIEA), Nothern Ireland Environment Agency at Crawfordsburn Country Park on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 June, 11-5 is free in more ways than one! Aside of being free to visit with free parking there is also a free make and take craft for every child, based on a recycled theme of bees and butterflies from Blue Frog crafts; a free sapling for every visitor from Forest Service; a free recycled card [...]

Marine Biodiversity Seminar: Protecting marine life for future generations & Launch of the Marine Institute’s Ground fish Survey Atlas World Biodiversity Day: Tuesday, 22 May 2012 Jointly organised by the Marine Institute and the Marine Group of the Environmental Pillar and kindly hosted by the EC representation in Ireland in the European Union House, 18 Dawson St, Dublin 2 Programme 9.00-9.30             Registration 9.30-9.40             Welcome address: Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland [...]

To coincide with Biodiversity Day on May 22nd, the Irish Wildlife Trust, Coastwatch, the Irish Seal Sanctuary, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and An Taisce will be co-hosting a seminar in Dublin on protecting the marine environment. We will have talks from the IWT on Marine Protected Areas, from the National Parks and Wildlife Service on progress made so far in designating protected sites, and from the Ulster Wildlife Trust on how marine biodiversity [...]

COF IDEAS – REINVENTING OUR DEMOCRACY – A NATIONAL DISCUSSION CROKE PARK, 26TH MAY, REGISTRATION: 10 AM Individuals and organizations from the full breadth of civil society will explore new ideas on democracy and share their thinking with each other on how to reinvent our democracy. Register now and join the discussion in Croke Park. This debate is urgent as economic crisis deepens the fault lines in our already flawed democracy. Distrust in our local [...]

Copenhagen, 2 July 2011. Up to 150 mm of rainfall in two hours – a city record since measurements began in the mid-1800s. Homes destroyed. Citizens and emergency services struggled to cope. This is one example of how excessive extreme weather events can affect a European capital – events that are expected more often under climate change. A forthcoming report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlights this stark reality facing Europe’s cities and urban [...]

“THE CHANGING FACE OF FAIRVIEW”, a five part documentary series produced by Forest Friends and Nearfm volunteer John Haughton explores the history, heritage, the environment and local organisations and amenities that make up the area of Fairview and Marino. The series includes interviews with Rev Fr. Antony a Franciscan Friar and ecologist who is parish priest of Fairview, comes from Kerela in India and speaks of the greening of Kerela and how the Kerela Green [...]

An Taisce notes the An Bord Pleanala decision to grant permission to the Athlone Trading Hub. This is the first stage of a proposal of staggering size and scale that the promoters claim will be the greatest commercial and trade centre in Europe. An Taisce believes that the vague nature of the planning conditions attached to development and the lack of global consideration of sustainability by An Bord Pleanála is a serious concern. Transport While [...]

Development of a satellite driven grass growth index to inform national monthly grassland production maps for Ireland Following the award of a Teagasc Walsh/EPA PhD fellowship, the Geography Department is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified applicant for a doctoral studentship for three years commencing on or near 1st October 2012. The studentship comprises an annual stipend of €21,000, from which university fees (approximately €6,000 per year for EU students) will have to be paid. [...]

Tuesday, May 01, 2012 – Minister Simon Coveney’s letter to the Irish Examiner (Mar 28) in response to your thoughtful editorial about fish farming does not represent the situation as he outlined it to the Senate. The minister wrote to you that Ireland has a ‘rigorous systems in place in consultation with the European Commission and we ensure that our best practice systems are rigorously enforced.’ In fact, he told the Oireachtas last July that [...]

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council are calling on Minister Jimmy Deenihan of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to get tough on those responsible for illegally cutting turf from raised bog SACs this season. “It is a shameful disgrace that following on from all the work that has been done to reach an accord to ensure that all turf cutters with a stake in the 53 raised bogs earmarked for conservation have a [...]

1. ECO-UNESCO’s Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC L5) Intensive Course: Fri 27th & Sat 28th April || Fri 25th & Sat 26th May (Over both weekends) What? The course develops an understanding of concepts such as sustainability, quality of life, sustainable communities and carrying capacity. It builds awareness of the links between the environment, society and the economy, education for sustainable development and develops skills of analysis (auditing). Learners facilitate a workshop on an environmental [...]

A Marine Biodiversity Seminar entitled  “Protecting marine life for future generations”  is to be held on World Biodiveristy Day, Tuesday 22nd May. This half-day event, jointly organised by the Marine Group of the Environmental Pillar and the Marine Institute will focus on our marine life, sustainable use of coastal and marine resources and user management. Talks will focus on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (the Beaufort Project), Fisheries in NATURA 2000 sites and the [...]

The Sixth Annual Invasive Species Ireland Forum will take place on the 3rd of May. The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, will host the 2012 Forum. The forum programme will include an update from Invasive Species Ireland and talks covering the freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments. Confirmed talks include: Preliminary results from the invasive species economic impact assessment for Ireland and Northern Ireland – Anthony Jackson Trends and introductions of invasive species – Colette O’Flynn Update on [...]

On 12 April 2012 Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., announced a review and public consultation of the ‘smoky coal ban’ regulations. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to inform and assist a review of the smoky coal ban regulations to ensure that they remain fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of residential fuels. The consultation paper reviews [...]

An Taisce are carrying out two free guided walks along the Boyne navigation this spring.  The first walk will take place on the Ramparts section of the Boyne, starting at the Ramparts car park in Navan at 11.45 am on Sunday April 29th. This walk will extend from Navan to the Bridge of the Boyne at Stackallen, a distance of about 4 miles. Minibuses will be available at Stackallen to return walkers to Navan. Some may [...]

Its a 24 hour Nature Competition from 5pm on Friday the 18th of May until 5pm on Saturday the 19th of May. The Irish Wildlife Trust will be participating in this years BioBlitz event in Lough Boora, Co. Offaly and we hope you can come along. BioBlitz is a scientific race against time.  The aim of this fun competition is to find as many species as possible within a park over 24 hours. In this unique event the [...]

Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Kerry, Mayo, Galway County, Cavan, Carlow and Waterford County are ranked worst (in that order) in a system that requires radical overhaul says Ireland’s National Trust  An Taisce has today published the results of its objective study of the Planning Systems in 34 City and County Councils.   We have graded the councils using 8 objective criteria, such as the perecentage of planning decisions appealed to An Bord Pleanála that were reversed and [...]

South Dublin Council is organizing a  few events for South Dublin’s Eco Week (Monday 23rd – Friday 27th April 2012). If you would like to attend any of these events please contact Andrea Carroll to confirm your place. Opportunity for Exposure 1: Green Business Exhibition South Dublin Libraries have a fantastic business resource available to all businesses in the County. The County Library in Tallaght also houses a dedicated collection of books on business and [...]

An Taisce today welcomed the publication of the Mahon Tribunal Report which has exposed the endemic corruption at the heart of the Irish Planning System. The catalyst for the setting up of the Tribunal was the placement in 1995 by Michael Smith, former Chairman of An Taisce, of an anonymous advertisement in the Irish Times through a firm of Newry Solicitors offering a reward of IR£10,000 for information on land rezoning corruption that would lead [...]

Climate change is already evident in Europe. Across the continent, policy makers are starting to respond to current and future impacts and risks associated with rising temperatures, changing precipitation, melting glaciers, ice and snow, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense floods and droughts. To help respond to these challenges, the Climate-ADAPT website was developed by the European Commission and will be managed by the Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA). It is [...]

A new programme of events has been launched by the educational charity Sustainable Projects Ireland. It will offer a rich opportunity to learn about many aspects of sustainable living. The three weekend courses, hosted at the Ecovillage in Cloughjordan on April 20-22, May 25-27 and June 22-24 and offered by Ecovillage members, will give participants an opportunity to take classes in subjects like green building techniques, renewable energy and the fundamentals of growing food while [...]

Irish Seed Savers will be holding a Celebration of Seeds Weekend at the West County Hotel in Ennis on Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st from 11am to 4pm on both days. Come and learn all about Seeds, talk to Irish Seed Savers staff, bring seeds and plants to swap and share and. On Saturday March 31st beginning from 11am we have a great line up of talks and demonstrations. Jo Newton, Irish Seed [...]

The Common frog is one of Ireland’s three amphibian species.  At this time of year the common frog has just laid their spawn in freshwater habitats around Ireland.  If you are looking for a fun  and active learning camp for your child during the Easter holidays then why not come along to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on Thursday 5th April as IPCC will be holding their annual Easter Froggy Fun Camp.  The participants [...]

After thorough examination of the scientific evidence the Welsh government have decided to drop plans for a badger cull and proceed with a badger vaccination programme instead. Scientific findings (1) state that badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to reducing BTB levels in cattle and can even compound the problem. This science led decision will save money for taxpayers, farmers as well as local communities. It will also save badgers. Badger vaccination in combination [...]

In a Europe-wide survey of attitudes to water, including how to pay for it, 49% of Irish respondents agreed that water users should be charged – but thought there should be measures in place to prevent negative social effects. Sixty-three per cent of Irish respondents agreed that the price of water should reflect the environmental impact of water use. And the survey found that more Irish people drink tap water than the EU average; 68% of [...]

For 2012 Irish Wildlife Trust have an excellent series of wildlife adventures lined up. Visiting some of the most beautiful and unique places in Ireland with leading experts, this year’s trips will be a treat. Places fill very fast so please do book early to avoid disappointment. See below for details the first two adventures 1. Burren Weekend Trip Join IWT, Shane Connolly and Stephen Ward on an exploration of the Burren. Enjoy a unique [...]

This investigation has been undertaken in order to update the Government of Ireland, the European Commission, their agencies and the public on recent scientific findings on the human health risks and environmental impacts of water fluoridation. The report further addresses, for the first time, the legal implications of fluoridation relating to drinking water, food safety, consumer rights and protection of natural resources. While the practice of fluoridation of drinking water was intended to have a [...]

On 29th March 2012, the Environmental Law Group at University College Cork will hold the Law and the Environment 2012 conference. This will be the 10th annual conference and builds on the success of previous events, where more than two hundred environmental professionals normally attend to hear from a range of expert speakers. This event caters to a cross-section of professional actors, including the legal professions, regulators and policymakers, environmental NGOs, local authorities, industry, and [...]

The Changing Face of Fairview is a five part documentary radio series produced by NearFM volunteer John Haughton. The series will begin on Thursday March 15th @ 6pm and explores the history, heritage and local organisations & amenities that make up the area of Fairview & Marino. Join John as he talks to senior citizens to find out how Fairview has changed over time. A local architect and a local historian analyse the townscape features and [...]