Hi IEN,

Get ready to get outside and explore this Spring! Not only are there loads of events going on throughout May and June, as you'll see below, but there are also over 200 free events happening during National Biodiversity Week alone!

As well as so many events, there are exciting announcements too. Have a look in the local news section for the launch of Leitrim Local Environmental Network newsletter which highlights events, resources and courses in Leitrim and surrounding counties. There's also great news from Westmeath, where years of work is paying off with the local GAA Club working towards their Green Club status, and a new remote working hub being developed.

In our resources section there's a recording from last Monday's webinar with Fair Seas, where we heard about how Local Authorities can make a difference to ocean health by passing a Motion for the Ocean. You can help get this passed by working with your Public Participation Network, talking to your existing local councillors, or bringing it to incoming councillors.

Enjoy your long weekend for Bealtaine!

All the best,

Catherine.

Leitrim Local Environmental Network

Events and Newsletter

Leitrim Environmental Network have launched their newsletter!

Want a sneak peek of the May newsletter? It's packed full of events for Biodiversity Week and National Bike week! There's gardening for nature workshops, pollinator walks, agroforestry, Street Feasts and Bioblitzes and more! Check out their full newsletter here and sign up to hear more in the future:  ➡️ http://eepurl.com/iHjikM ⬅️

Put your name down to be the first to hear about events in County Leitrim as well as environmental webinars, courses, public consultations on the environment and our own network events and meetings. 

If you are organising or hear about environmental events that you would like to be included in the newsletter, please email leitrimen@gmail.com before the last week of the month to be included.

WECAN Westmeath

(Westmeath Environmental and Climate Action Network)

GAA Green Club Status

Remote Working Hub

WECAN are pleased to share with you that we are well on our way towards our official Green club status in our local GAA club in rural county Westmeath.

This has been a project that we have commenced a couple of years ago and we have had huge success in biodiversity renewable energy waste segregation and other environmental initiatives over the last few years.

Read more about the GAA Green Club status: https://www.rebrand.ly/milltown-greenclub

We are also developing a remote working hub as an alternative to commuter's traveling long distances in our local area.

Watch a video about Milltown Rathconrath Remote Working Hub: https://youtu.be/wyF81VObwI4?si=-fdLRzctLpKQ4fNH 

Our ‘AirBnB for remote workers’ profile on the Connected Hubs platform see https://connectedhubs.ie/hubs/profile/4266

We are shortlisted for two awards in the forthcoming national digital town awards also.

Biodiversity Bike Ride

Gorey Pedestrian and Cycling Association in collaboration with the Wexford Environmental Network

May 19th, 11am - 1pm

Gorey Orchard (next to the fire station)

To celebrate the cross-over between Bike Week and Biodiversity Week, join us for our first ever Biodiversity Bike Ride hosted by Gorey Pedestrian and Cycling Association in collaboration with the Wexford Environmental Network!

Guide: Natasha Ariff is based in North Wexford and is a biodiversity and landscape consultant, with a MSc in Civil Engineering, a Higher Diploma in Environmental Engineering, and an MSc in Biodiversity and Land Use Planning. She is also an environmental activist and is passionate about finding solutions to how humans can live in harmony with nature in urban environments.

We'll make stops at several key biodiversity sites and explore how we can both appreciate and protect the Nature that surrounds us.

Suitable for all levels of cyclists (kids too!) - grab your bike, your curiosity, and let's pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future!

Date: 19th May

Time: 11am - 1pm

Meeting Point: Gorey Orchard (next to the fire station)

Ending Point: The park (where we'll treat you to a drink from the Coffee Pod)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Don't forget to bring your helmet, water bottle, and enthusiasm for Nature! We can't wait to explore Gorey's urban biodiversity with you. Register now to secure your spot!

Any queries or questions, please reach out to goreypca@gmail.com

Find more Biodiversity Week events in Wexford on the calendar of events. Just sort by 'Wexford' to see all events in the county.

CELT Weekend in the Hills traditional & ecological skills training

May 4th & 5th

Galway

Contact us for the last few places remaining  -  Find Your Craft & Learn a new skill! 

CELT are delighted to invite you to join us for the first of our 3 annual Weekend in the Hills Festival of Traditional Crafts, with Traditional and Ecological Skills training taking place over the  Weekend of May 4 & 5th. 

To choose from the list of our amazing craft courses available please visit our Weekend in the Hills Pages.. https://www.celtnet.org/weekend-in-the-hills

For Example…. Master the centuries-old art of willow basketry in our relaxing workshop setting. Our expert tutor Kate from WestCountry Willow will guide you step-by-step through creating a beautiful basket using locally grown willow. Discover the heritage craft of basket weaving and develop a new creative skill making keepsakes to cherish, whilst having great craic and making new friends. Ideal for anyone looking for a calming, engaging hobby or wanting to learn a new skill. All our traditional craft workshops offer a perfectly peaceful day activity and weekend away to relieve stress and express your creativity.

Creative Pathways to Participation - Project Launch

May 7th

Dublin

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland have partnered with ATD Ireland for their "Creative pathways" project. Two of our members, Jack O'Sullivan and Craig Tobin-Dower, will be featured in their feature film partaking in environmental poetry readings in Trinity College Dublin, and will also have their poems featured in a book that is part of the outcomes of the project. The launch for the project will take place in Trinity next Tuesday, 7th May.

Read more about the project here.

Beaches & Dunes for Climate Adaptation course



May 11th & 19th - 9am to 5pm

Location: Sligo

Leave No Trace Ireland, in partnership with the Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) at the University of Galway and the Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Training Board (MSLETB), announces the launch of a new two-day course geared towards empowering local communities to safeguard their coastal environments.

The ‘Beaches & Dunes for Climate Adaptation course’ will emphasize the vital role of sand dune ecosystems in coastal protection and habitat preservation.

Course dates are as follows:

Dunmoran, Co Sligo, 11th May and 19th May

It aims to equip participants with essential knowledge and tools to ensure the longevity and health of local sand dune systems. The training courses will take place at five locations along the Wild Atlantic Way between April and June and be delivered by Susan Adams from Education for Sustainability CLG.

Through a series of interactive modules, participants will delve into topics ranging from assessing dune health to practical techniques like Marram Grass Planting. The course will blend classroom-based sessions with hands-on practical training, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

Register here

Irish Whale And Dolphin Group Will Be At Dublin Zoo For Native Species Weekend

May 11th & 12th

Dublin

Dublin Zoo are hosting a Native Species Weekend on the 11th & 12th of May from 11am to 4pm each day. This event celebrates all the wonderful wildlife that can be found in Ireland, and highlights the ways in which we can play a role in its conservation. There will be plenty of hands-on activities taking place and you'll get the chance to meet the IWDG team and ask questions about everything blubber.

Come and visit our stand to learn more about Ireland's rich marine biodiversity, the wonderful creatures that live there, and the work of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Let's Get R-Eel: A Talk About Eels

May 16th, 7pm

Cavan

In-person talk with Rob Cruikshanks of the National Eel Monitoring Programme with Inland Fisheries Ireland at Bailieborough Library, County Cavan.

The European eel is classified as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. European eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea, and after hatching as larval eels, they drift on the Gulf Stream ocean current until they reach the Atlantic coasts of Europe and transform into glass eels. Sadly, the number of young eels reaching our waters has declined over the past 30 years and amounts to as little as 8% of what was present during the 1970s.

Book here

National Biodiversity Week

May 17th - 26th

Nationwide

Over 200 FREE events nationwide!

Explore wildlife and learn more about topics of biodiversity this May.

Browse the events in your area and book now to avoid disappointment.

View the calendar here: https://biodiversityweek.ie/events-calendar/

Follow us on Facebook, TwitterX, or Instagram to keep up to date with upcoming events. Tag your events and news with #BiodiversityWeek2024.

BioFest - West Cork Festival of Biodiversity

May 18th - 19th

West Cork

Saturday & Sunday May 18th-19th @ CECAS, Myross Wood House, Leap, Co. Cork Celebrate our biodiversity, join walks, talks and workshops, learn how you can do more for nature. Some family-friendly activities. Unless specified otherwise, all events are free, and must be booked in advance as numbers are limited. Pop-up café. During BioFest no dogs please on grounds or at events. BioFest is supported by CECAS, the Green Economy Foundation and the Irish Environmental Network.

More details coming soon. Find events on www.biodiversityweek.ie

Workshop: Basic Alterations – Get Your Wardrobe Summer Ready

May 18th - 10.30am

Dublin

Elevate your summer wardrobe with the Rediscovery Centre! Learn alteration tricks such as hem adjustments, flutter sleeves, neckline modifications, and more at this demonstration workshop.

Get your tickets here

Workshop: Basic Alterations - Making Trousers & Jeans Your Own

May 18th -2pm

Dublin

Give your trousers and jeans a new lease of life with our basic alterations workshop! In this two hour demonstration workshop, you will learn how to add a godet to create a flair, patch imperfections using visible and invisible mending techniques, and learn how to adjust a waistband.

Get your tickets here

CELT Open Day, Agroforestry & Biodiversity Week Celebrations 2024 

19th May 2024, 10am – 4pm

Galway

Slieve Aughty Center, Loughrea, Kylebrack West, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland, Eircode H62 DX77

Celt are delighted to welcome you to the  first of our Open Days this year, taking place on Sunday May 19th from 10am to 4pm, as part of the national Biodiversity & Agroforestry Week Celebrations.

This year's event will have a special focus on Forestry Promotion and the multiple benefits of trees and biodiversity to all our lives, highlighting and celebrating the multifunctional role and benefits of trees, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, tackling flooding and biodiversity loss and ecosystems regeneration, and to our everyday health and wellbeing! 

We have a super exciting line-up of talks, walks, and demonstration displays by CELT Traditional Craft Tutors, with  a number of wonderful and knowledgeable experts for you to enjoy throughout the day. 

Our Program includes:

• 10- 11.30:  Food Foraging Talk and Walk with Olwyn William from Wild Foods
• 11: Eliminating Food Waste with Mark Molloy from Galway County Council Environment Office, information stall available throughout the day
• 11 - 11.30 l: Establishing a food Forest with Jason McCormack from Food tree - plus tree stall 
• 11.30 -12: Exploring the Miyawaki Method talk from Finola O'Siochru of the Kinvara Ballinderreen Community Tree Gang
• 12 -12.30 l: The Multiple Benefits of Trees with Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland
• 12.30 - 1:  Restoring our Native Woodlands with David Smyth from Native Woodland Trust
• 1 - 1.30:   A Talk on Bioregional regeneration with Ali Crighton from Bioregional Weavers
• 2 - 3.30:  A Woodland Walk with Celt and the Woodland League on restoring "The Great Forest of Aughty"
• 2 - 3.30: Film screenings incl Rights of Nature

Please register your interest for this event on our website at https://www.celtnet.org/events/a-free-open-day-of-celt

If you need more information please contact info@celtnet.org

The Slieve Aughty Woods Cafe is open during the whole day serving delicious local and organic food!

The Slieve Aughty Center provides accommodation for anyone wishing to stay the weekend - https://slieveaughtycentre.com/

Do join us for a wonderful day out for all the family! Bígí Linn!

Whale Watching Courses

The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group is delighted to announce their return to the wonderful CECAS Ctr, in Leap, West Cork, for their 2024 summer series of Residential weekend whale watching courses. Participants will attend a series of indoor presentations and guided land-based watches, during which they will learn the field-skills required to observe, identify and record these magnificent marine mammals. Incorporated into the weekend will be a 4-5hr boat trip with our partners at Cape Clear Ferries. The first of these two courses is May 24-26th.

Book May 24th - 26th

Book Sept 20th - 22nd

Workshop: Parent & Child Bike Maintenance Class

May 25th - 11am

Dublin

As young riders get on their bikes, it's crucial to empower them with the skills to keep their bikes in tip top condition.

Explore the exciting world of bike maintenance with our interactive workshop designed specifically for kids and an accompaning adult. In this engaging session, kids will not only watch live demonstrations but also get their hands dirty with practical activities using specially provided kids' bikes. The workshop covers a range of essential skills, ensuring that children become adept at bicycle maintenance.

Get your tickets here

JUNE EVENTS

Workshop: Sióg - Foraging, Wild Foods and Herbal Extraction

June 8th, 10am

Dublin

Discover nature's bounty at Wild Sióg: a hands-on workshop blending foraging, wild foods exploration, and herbal extraction techniques. Morning and afternoon sessions available.

Get your tickets here

Irish Forest School Association Summer Gathering - Save the Date

June 8th & 9th

Galway

IFSA are delighted to announce the dates for their 5th annual AGM and Annual Gathering that will take place in Co. Galway at the beautiful Slieve Aughty Centre

There are lots of great workshops in store for you!

More information and booking details to follow soon!

Keep up to date with this event here

NEW Four Week Evening Course: Rework Your Wardrobe

June 10th - July 1st, 6pm - 8.30pm

Dublin

Do you have a piece of clothing you'd like to transform?

Join our course, and over four evenings, Rediscover Fashion's Arran Murphy will lead you through the upcycling process. From inspiration and design, deconstruction and fabric harvesting, alterations, and repairs to sewing tips and techniques, Arran will be there every step of the way to help you bring your upcycling ideas to life.

The course will run every Monday night from June 10th to the 1st July, 6 to 8.30pm, at the Rediscovery Centre

Get your tickets here

NEW Four Week Evening Course: Furniture Upholstery

June 10th - 6pm

Dublin

Join Nessa at the Rediscovery Centre for an exciting hands-on course in upholstery, perfect for beginners keen on learning upholstery and transforming their own piece of furniture. With Nessa's expert guidance, you'll complete your project and gain skills to tackle future upholstery endeavors.

All essential materials and equipment will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own project, though it's not mandatory..

Get your tickets here

FREE Repair Cafe

June 29th - 10am

Dublin

Do you have something at home that you have been meaning to fix?

Join us at the Rediscovery Centre on the 29th June where you can bring along your broken item and work together with our experts to help you repair it.

This event is kindly supported by Dublin City Council.

Book your place here

Rediscovery Centre Opens First Cytech Training Facility in Ireland

The Rediscovery Centre, the National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland, has announced its partnership with Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians.

Through this partnership, the Rediscovery Centre will provide Cytech’s world-class training and accreditation scheme to current and aspiring bicycle technicians within the Irish Market.

The Rediscovery Centre is now one of only seven high-end Cytech training providers around the world. They join prestigious training companies from Australia, South Africa, Canada, Scotland and England, and are extremely proud to be bringing this offering to Ireland.

Mark Dunn, Programme Manager of Rediscover Cycling at the Rediscovery Centre speaking about the recent development said “We’re thrilled to be joining the Cytech provider network and be part of such a major event in the Irish bicycle industry. Cytech qualifications have long been seen as the premium training standard, and will now be far more accessible to candidates in Ireland. The Rediscovery Centre has a wealth of experience in delivering workshops and reskilling trainees, and will now offer accredited training to further push the quality of our output, and that of the Irish bicycle industry as a whole.”

The Cytech journey begins with Theory One Online. To celebrate the new location and until the end of May, Cytech are offering €50 off the new Ireland Theory One Online Course which can be completed online and in your own time, to get you started with your journey.

More info

Exciting news for Ballymun with the launch of the Ballymun Community Bike Library!

This project, the first community based bike library in Ireland, was supported by the Rediscovery Centre's ECCO Project, Ballymun Health & Fitness, YAP, and Mind & Body Fitness.

Under the scheme, local residents are invited to apply to borrow a bike and test it out for 3 months, just paying a deposit which will be refunded after the bike is returned. ECCO participants worked on the development, design and launch of the library of 20 electric bikes - well done to all involved, including Richard from Bleeper, Francesco from UCD, Brian from YAP, Dean Scurry, Paddy O'Reilly, Ger Prendergast, Martina Cahill, and Rediscovery Centre's ECCO Training Coordinator Averil!

Rediscovery Centre's community-led climate action initiative ECCO is all about supporting individuals and community groups to kickstart local reuse or repair projects in Ballymun, Longford, Roscommon, and Limerick.

ECCO is funded under the Government of Ireland’s Community Climate Action Programme, through the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

Photo: Dean Scurry

More info

Motion for Ocean Stewardship

At last Monday's webinar we heard about the actions that Local Authorities can take to benefit the Ocean. Whether coastal or inland, all counties affect Ocean health. A Motion for the Ocean has passed in various Councils in Britain. Let's discuss how it could be used in Ireland's Local Authorities.

We were joined by Donal Griffin, Campaign Coordinator and Marine Policy Officer for Fair Seas, who told us about the Motion, it's origins and what it could mean for Ireland's Local Authorities. He also gave an overview of Fair Seas and the Marine Protected Areas Bill.

Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gMzd6N7l2A

View the sample motion text here.

Help save our Hawthorn Trees!

We need your help! Please sign our open letter calling for urgent government action on the danger of Fireblight to Ireland's hedgerows. This disease is carried on imported trees and infects Hawthorn, which must then be destroyed as there is no cure.

Learn more about Fireblight and sign the Letter here

Marine Protected Area Law

Add your name to call on Minister Darragh O’Brien and the Irish government to enact a strong marine protected area law without delay.

Please sign our petition today and share. >>> https://only.one/act/30x30-ireland

Westmeath Biodiversity Action Plan

Deadline 5pm Monday 27th May

The Pre-draft Public Consultation on the Meath Biodiversity Action Plan 2025 – 2025 commenced Monday 15^th April 2024.

With the support of the Meath Biodiversity Working Group and Meath Heritage Forum, Meath County Council would like to hear your views on nature and your ideas on how we should be addressing the biodiversity crisis at a local level.

A discussion paper has been pulled together to inform the consultation process and can be downloaded here.

To make a submission, you can:

• Send a submission by post - FAO Biodiversity Officer, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Navan, Co. Meath, C15 Y291, or;
• Complete an online questionnaire survey - via the Meath County Council Consult Website: https://consult.meath.ie/en/surveys

Any queries associated with the consultation should be forwarded to biodiversity@meathcoco.ie.

Further information about the pre-draft public consultation can be found on the Meath County Council website: https://bit.ly/MCC-BiodiversityPlan 

Bat Conservation Ireland Sponsorship of 2 Tidy Towns Special Awards!

As part of the TidyTowns Special Awards competition, Bat Conservation Ireland are sponsoring two awards. The first award is to sponsor a playground sculpture or artwork that highlights the importance of bats in the Irish ecosystem second award is to sponsor a public art mural or street artwork that highlights the importance of bats in the Irish ecosystems.

Closing date for entries June 5th

Click here more information and to apply