Bio-data centre opens:The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) was officially opened at Waterford Institute of Technology on Thursday.
Speaking at the opening, Prof Jeremy Greenwood, Director of the British Trust for Ornithology, said that the centre is long overdue but nonetheless very welcome. "Every country needs a place where everyone from wildlife managers to planning officials can access biological records. The collection of data on birds, bees, butterflies and so on highlights significant conservation issues which can eventually lead to policy change." Prof Greenwood told Horizons how data collection on the decline in birds on farms in Britain ultimately led to funds from the Common Agricultural Policy being diverted to environmental and social issues.
"The people who collect the data are important too. Volunteer data collection is part of the democratic process and doing work like this can have an impact at policy level." Fieldwork on a new bird atlas for Ireland and Britain also begins this year. Liam Lysaght, formerly of the Heritage Council, is the new director of the NBDC.
How do you freeze energy?
What one change will you make to be more energy-efficient? This is the theme of the photographic competition for secondary school students, run jointly by Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre in Northern Ireland.
The challenge for entrants will be to capture in a photograph the ways in which we use, misuse or overuse energy in our everyday lives. Contact photocompetition@est.org.uk or schools@sei.ie, or freephone 1850-376-666. See also www.sei.ie and www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ northernireland. Meanwhile, Through My Eyes, an exhibition of photographs taken by children from primary schools in Bray and Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, is on show in County Buildings in Wicklow town on weekdays until February 2nd. The photographs are derived from the Sculpture in Woodland expo in Devil's Glen, Co Wicklow. Details from 01-2011132.
Solution to a growing problem
More than 4,000km of Irish hedgerows will be planted and more than 2,500 hedgerows will be rejuvenated on farms throughout Ireland in the next few years. This, the largest planting of hedgerows in more than 200 years, will be managed by Teagasc under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. Whitethorn, holly, hazel, guilder rose and blackthorn will be planted. Teagasc is holding a number of walks in January and February. Contact Catherine Keena on 051-644536, or e-mail catherine.keena@teagasc.ie.
The natural exterior
Coming Full Circle: Bringing Nature Back into the Garden is the theme of the annual seminar of the Garden and Landscape Designers Association on Saturday, February 10th at University College Dublin. Speakers include Cleve West, a contemporary garden designer and garden writer; James Hitchmough, professor of horticultural ecology in the University of Sheffield's department of landscape; and Jerry Harpur, an award-winning photographer and horticulturalist. Booking is essential on 01-2781824.