Have a green Hallowe'en: In an effort to encourage people to have a Green Hallowe'en, the Dublin City Community Forum Environmental Focus Group has put together a series of eco-tips specifically for this festive weekend.
The first and most important tip is not to burn tyres on bonfires as they release vast quantities of toxic pollutants. Similarly, the DCCFEFG is encouraging bonfire tenders not to burn aerosols, batteries and paint. Bonfires are a particularly fun part of Hallowe'en celebrations but the fire burns brightly with old planks of wood, waste clipping from trees and hedges and other harmless timber refuse. Other eco-tips include offering children more traditional treats such as fruit, nuts, popcorn and chocolate rather than those teeth-destroying chewable and hard sweets. See www.dublin.ie for more eco-tips in the forthcoming weeks.
Still on Hallowe'en, there is a family day out in the woods of Ballindoolin House, Edenderry, Co Offaly, tomorrow, as part of Crann's Autumn Festival of Trees/ Feile Samhna na gCrann. Competitions and fun (fancy dress compulsory) starts at 2 p.m. tel: 046-9730178 for more details. Also, the organisers of Ballymun's Other World Festival have planned a Hallowe'en event with a difference in the carpark of Ballymun Shopping Centre.
Hundreds of costumed children will gather tomorrow between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to perform and argue who is the best in front of Samhain, the king of the seasons, with a 20-foot fire sculpture as their backdrop.
Strictly for the birds
"Garden Bird Detectives: Discovering Birds on Your Doorstep" is the title of Birdwatch Ireland's exhibition which opens at ENFO, 17 St Andrew St, Dublin on Monday. Running for six weeks, the aim of the show is to inform the public of the different species of birds that visit Irish gardens and give tips on how to identify them, attract them and keep them coming back. The exhibition will feature a specially-constructed bird garden and feeding station and new bird identification charts. Schools can sign up class groups for one-hour free workshops held throughout the exhibition. Tel: 01-8882001. Opening hours Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission free.
Promoting trees in Belfast
The Forest of Belfast, a partnership to promote trees in the Belfast region, has over the last 10 years used art to stimulate interest in parks and woods. Next Saturday, tours to view this art will start from Malone House in the Barnett Demesne at 1 p.m.
During the tours, walkers will get a chance to study oak, steel and stone sculptures of animals and people whilst enjoying the magnificent avenues of oaks and views of the Lagan Valley. Details from Ben Simon, tel: 048-90270350. or ben.simon@belfastcity.gov.uk
Ballsbridge fair
Irish Water, Waste and Environment and Irish Recycling and Waste Management are two strands of an industrial fair in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin, on November 10th and 11th. Sustainable Energy Ireland is also co-ordinating an Energy Conference at the fair. See www.environment-ireland.com or tel: 01 2845946 for details on registration.