Nature events and notices
On the trawling trail
Biologists estimate that between half a million and five million marine species have yet to be discovered in the depths of our oceans. But, according to Greenpeace, many of these species are under threat from the fishing practise of bottom-trawling. Over 1,000 marine scientists from 60 countries have now called for a moratorium on bottom-trawling in international waters. The crew of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior that docked this week in Wellington, New Zealand, had spent weeks exploring the Tasman Sea to highlight the problem of bottom-trawling.
Greenpeace's website contains images of the trawled and untrawled ocean and graphic descriptions of the damage done by this fishing method which, it claims, is practised widely by the New Zealand fishing industry.
See www.greenpeace.org.
Creatures great and small
An animal conservation event takes place today and tomorrow at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Castle Espie, Comber, Co Down.
The resident ducks, geese and swans will be joined by eagle owls, birds of prey, hedgehogs, reptiles, snakes, lizards, donkeys, ponies, small furry animals, insects and fish. This extravaganza will be complemented by puppet shows, magic displays and craft stands. Take note especially of the pond-dipping sessions for children and the falconry displays. Opening hours 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Admission: adults £4.40, children £2.70. Tel: 048-9187 4146.
See www.wwt.org.uk.
Potatoes and politics
May Queen, Irish Peace and Land Leaguer are names of potato varieties that hint at the political significance of what was once the staple of the Irish diet.
To sample some of this year's first crop and find out more about the role of potatoes during the Famine, head for the Irish Seed Savers gardens at Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare tomorrow. Tom Maher, director of Teagasc's potato advisory programme, will also discuss growing traditional varieties of potato. Potato Day begins at 11 a.m.
Growers of soft fruit may be interested in a talk on rare varieties of currants and berries on Saturday, July 31st, at the same venue. The Irish Seed Savers gardens are open to the public on the first Sunday in July, August, September and October from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tel: 061-921866.
A workshop on workshops
If you're interested in learning how to build a home office in the garden, the Econohouse workshop on Saturday, July 3rd in the Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim, may be for you. Led by architect Peter Cowman, the workshop will cover planning, design and construction details, setting up a workshop, getting the right tools and materials and, crucially, getting the job done without too many hitches. Cowman, who runs the Living Architecture Centre in Co Leitrim, sees the workshop as an opportunity to give people the skills and confidence to carry out small projects with sustainable materials. The budget for each house is €5,000 and the workshop costs €70. Booking at: 071-854338. See www.livingarchitecturecentre.com.