Towns race against waste: Starting this year, every town and village competing in the national Tidy Towns competition will have to show that it has a waste minimization plan in its area.
Towns that promote best practice for waste management, including schools initiatives, segregated litter in clean-ups and environmental work with local businesses, will receive extra points.
The integration of this environmental element into the Tidy Towns competition comes after two years of a pilot programme during which time towns and villages could opt to incorporate good environmental practice into their activities. Entries for this year's Tidy Towns competitions will be assessed throughout the summer and the results will be announced in September.
See www.raceagainstwaste.ie for top-scoring towns on environmental issues during the pilot programme.
Meanwhile, the Nuremore Hotel and Country Club in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan has been acknowledged internationally for its environmental management system. The hotel was assessed on its waste control, recycling, energy reduction, water consumption and prevention of pollution in the surrounding environment.
Batwatching
If you are willing to spend a couple of summer evenings walking along a river or canal while participating in a wildlife conservation project, read on. Bat Conservation Ireland is carrying out a survey of Daubenton bats in the Republic and Northern Ireland in August. The aim is to assess levels of activity of these bats which fly close to the water. With a few hours training, volunteers will be able to identify and count Daubenton bats over a waterway near their homes. The training for suitable volunteers will be organized one evening in July. Contact Tina Aughney, ecologist at Ulex House, Drumheel, Lisduff, Virginia, Co Cavan for more details. Tel: 086-4049468.
Teaching sustainability
Teachers keen to learn about waste, energy, wildlife, composting, organic food and how to teach environmental education in urban schools should check out the Global Action Plan course this summer. Held in the Axis Centre, Ballymun, Dublin from July 11th-14th (9.30am-2.30pm each day, cost €50), the course has been sanctioned by the Department of Education through the Drumcondra Education Centre. Tutors will concentrate on practical ways to teach sustainability in urban and suburban areas. Global Action Plan is an environmental organisation which promotes sustainable living and works with local communities to achieve positive change.
Contact Lynn Scarff on 01-8625846 or e-mail lynn@globalactionplan.ie. for more details. See also www.globalactionplan.ie
Another summer course approved for primary school teachers is the five-day ecology course on Cape Clear Island from July 3rd-7th. The course will look at local flora and fauna in five key habitats and also include lectures, slide shows and discussion. Cost €200.
Tel: 028-39119 for more details or e-mail ccteo@iol.ie.