Children of the wetlands: Children from five primary schools in Co Wexford joined members of Coastwatch Ireland in a celebration of wetlands on Lady's Island, near Rosslare Harbour, last week.
The children presented snapshots of their experience of wetlands through songs and music, visual art and computer displays.
"We are still experiencing a net loss of valuable wetlands in Ireland and continue to grapple with serious weaknesses in both law and law enforcement," explains Karin Dubsky of Coastwatch Ireland. "If children value and know their wetlands, then we have won half the battle."
More than 50 per cent of wetlands have been lost around the world. Yet wetlands carry out important functions both as natural purifiers of surface and groundwaters and as a natural retention area for floods, alleviating the impact of flooding on human activities. More information on wetland education projects from Coastwatch Ireland at 055-25843 or www.coastwatcheurope.org
Ideas recycled
A community furniture project which collects and re-uses 750 tonnes of furniture annually, a kerbside collection scheme which services 60,000 households and collects 2,300 tonnes of waste per year, and a community recycling partnership which recycles wood, computers, furniture and other appliances - these were just some of the successful recycling models in Scotland and Wales that were discussed earlier this month at a conference in Mallow, Co Cork.
The conference was organised by the Blackwater Resource Development, Fermoy, Co Cork with the aim of setting up similar schemes in Ireland. Conference details from 025-33411.
Return of the basket
With the welcome demise of the plastic bag, the traditional Irish basket is making a comeback. The current exhibition, Irish Basket-Making, at the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, shows the magnificent range possible, from large willow sculptures to garden chairs, laundry baskets and modern takes on the shopping basket. Although many of the 30 basket-makers working in Ireland today earn a living from individual commissions, they are constantly competing with cheap imported baskets.
One of the chief aims of the exhibition is to show the public the quality of work produced here and spread the message that the time-consuming nature of the work needs to be reflected in the price.
The exhibition continues in Kilkenny until July 15th (10 a.m. to
6 p.m. daily, admission free). It will then show at the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo from September 23rd to January 11th, 2004.
The forestry mission
Calling all foresters, ecologists and landowners keen to conserve our native woodlands. The Forest Service, in association with Woodlands of Ireland, is holding a Native Woodland Scheme training course on July 21st-23rd at the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly. This free weekend course will cover native woodland ecology and management.
The Native Woodland Scheme is a State-aided project aiming to conserve and develop native woodlands. Details from Kevin Collins, forestry inspector, on 01-6782154.