Dublin Castle EU conference: Three prominent European social and environmental organisations will push forward the important message of sustainable development at a conference in Dublin Castle on Monday.
Focusing the minds of European heads of state on the need for member states' annual sustainable investment plans and sustainability proofing of infrastructure projects in advance of the EU Spring Summit are among the principle aims of the conference. Speakers from the European Environmental Bureau, the European Trade Union Confederation and the Platform of European Social NGOs will address the need for sustainable impact assessments on all EU expenditure. The conference organisers are also calling for an assurance that by 2010, the price of ecological housing will be the same as normal construction and at least 50 per cent of EU and national transport investments be spent on more sensible alternatives to the private car.
Darwin for children
Building on last year's celebration and commemoration of Charles Darwin's birth on February 12th, 1809, the Natural History Museum has this year organised a week of activities. Events which run from February 8th to 14th in the Natural History Museum, Merrion St, Dublin, include a children's introduction to the evolutionary scientist on Sunday, February 8th at 3 p.m., a lecture on Darwin's ideas on Wednesday, February 11th at 1 p.m. and a new tour of the museum following the "Darwin Trail" on Thursday, February 12th at 3 p.m. Children can also learn how to become a tour guide at the Natural History Museum's Saturday Club, held each Saturday in February from 11 a.m. to noon. Tel: 01-6486362 for more details.
The wonder of wetlands
The wise use of wetlands and the importance of the Water Framework Directive will be discussed at a conference in Trinity College Dublin on Monday to celebrate World Wetlands Day. Booking details tel: 055-25843. See also www.coastwatch.org. Meanwhile children and adults alike can celebrate wetlands by paying a visit to the exhibition on frogs in ENFO throughout February. Mounted by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, the show outlines the life cycle of frogs and threats to their habitats.
Econotes
One of Dublin's most treasured oases of calm, Bull Island, will be the subject of a lecture by Pat Corrigan on Thursday at 3.15 p.m. in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Corrigan is the manager of the North Bull Island Nature Reserve, which is designated as an Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
Would-be ecovillagers should head for ENFO, 17 Andrews St, Dublin, today between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to find out more about the planned eco-village in Cloughjordan in North Tipperary. See also www.thevillage.ie.
The Féile Bríde celebrations in Kildare town end this weekend with a Brigid's Eve Ritual in the Japanese Gardens tonight at 7.20 p.m. and a walk in the footsteps of St Brigid, starting from the Heritage Centre in the town square tomorrow at noon. Tel: 045-522890. See also www.solasbhride.ie