Green with panic: Ecologically minded people are not immune to the last-minute panic purchasing of Christmas presents, so here are a few suggestions which might inspire.
First up is to sponsor a tree in the Native Woodland Trust's new seven-acre woodland site in Co Leitrim. The trust is currently planting oak, ash, holly, alder, Irish whitebeam, hawthorn, blackthorn, rowan and various willows. The seeds for all these trees were sourced in Irish woodlands. They are planted using biodegradable mulch mats, and no herbicides or pesticides are used.
"None of our trees will ever be harvested for timber production and as soon as this site is completely planted, we will purchase another and so on, to provide a network of new woodlands across the country," says Jim Lawlor, the chairman of the Native Woodland Trust. It costs €30 to sponsor a tree and for that, the recipient of your gift will receive a certificate. Contact the Native Woodland Trust, Stoneybrook, Kilteel, Co Kildare. For more details, tel 087-9020038 or e-mail info@nativewoodtrust.ie. See also www.nativewoodtrust.ie
Seedsavers alert
Meanwhile, tomorrow is the last day for purchasing organically grown Irish native heritage apple trees at the Irish Seedsavers Association headquarters at Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare. The centre and gardens are open from noon to 4 p.m. Tel 061-921866 or e-mail info@irishseedsavers.ie
Rapid growth for Slowfood
The Slowfood movement has seen steady growth in Ireland in the last number of years. Founded in 1986 in Italy by food critic and journalist Carlo Petrini, it is dedicated to the enjoyment of food prepared using local ingredients. In this country, its growth has been linked directly to the burgeoning artisan food sector, farmers' markets and speciality food stores. The second edition of Slow Food Ireland guide, edited by Clodagh McKenna is now on sale for €5 or €6 (including p&p).
Slow Food Ireland has local groups in Fingal, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire/Wicklow, Tipperary, South East, East Cork, West Cork, Kerry, Erne-Garavogue, and more groups are being created. More details from 023-52977 or e-mail: info@slowfoodireland.com
Healthy hotel options
And, now for our prediction of a new eco sector which will gain momentum in 2005. It's the biohotel phenomenon. Founded in Austria in 2001, the Bio-hotel association is the first Europe-wide association of organic hotels with over 20 member hotels - mainly in Austria, Germany and Italy.
The association's defined criteria calls for hotels to have a complete conversion to organic food (with a few exceptions made for drinks).
They also stipulate that biohotels should buy regional products as far as possible. Member hotels are subjected to announced annual checks by an organic inspection body as well as unannounced random checks at irregular intervals.
Many of the current members have also made a name for themselves in the wellness sector, offering massage, ayurveda cures and spas. See www.biohotels.info