Nature events and notices
World Environment Day
"Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive?" is the provocative theme of this year's World Environment Day, which is celebrated around the world today.
The city of Barcelona in Spain will host the main international celebrations on this United Nations-designated day, which is now in its 32nd year. Many other countries are also celebrating with school competitions, public lectures, exhibitions, tree planting, beach clean-ups, street parades and eco-demonstrations. Some of the most inspired events include a marine debris clean-up day on Macquarie Island, Tasmania (a World Heritage Site half way between Australia and Antarctica) and an underwater clean up of the seas around Greece involving hundreds of divers, led by Jean-Michel Cousteau. Also of note is that Bergen, Norway, will be formally named a Green Children's City by the children's environmental organisation, Inky's Ecodetectives. The European Commission and the Director-General of the Environment have also launched a new Clean Marine Award for ships which reduce atmospheric emissions. See also www.unep.org/wed/2004
Oceans festival
Visitors will come face to face with the marine creatures of Tramore Bay, Co Waterford, next weekend at the World Oceans' Festival. Organised by the Irish Wildlife Trust and T-Bay Surf and Wildlife Centre, the three-day event is the official Irish celebration of the United Nations-designated World Oceans Day. The programme includes seminars, guided walks, beach art, kite surfing, sand sculpting and whale and dolphin watching. Contact 051-391297.
Trail of the whale
"Flukeprints - on the trail of Irish Whales," an exhibition on the diversity of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Irish water has just opened in the ENFO library, St Andrew's St, Dublin. With up to 24 species of whales and dolphins recorded in the waters around Ireland, the Irish coastline has been designated Europe's first whale and dolphin sanctuary. Workshops for primary school children will take place. Contact 01-8883931.
Environment Day
ENFO will commemorate World Environment Day today with an information stand on the United Nations Environment Programme. The Natural History Museum in Merrion St, Dublin, is also celebrating the day with a special tour at 2 p.m. today for 7-year-olds and over.
Architectural designs
The annual RIAI Architecture Awards, were handed out last week. An exhibition of the 22 winning schemes which include Roches Stores in Henry St (Best Contribution to Urban Design) by Newenham Mulligan, the restoration of the Palm House Complex in the National Botanic Gardens by the Office of Public Works and the Balgaddy Housing Scheme in West Dublin by Howley Harrington and 47 other entries are on display in the Architecture Centre, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until July 30th. The exhibition will then go on a countrywide tour. Contact 01-6761703.