Tracking mammals: A new co-ordinated approach to regular surveying of all mammal species has just been launched in Britain.
The Tracking Mammal Partnership will build on monitoring schemes already in place and create more in areas where they are lacking. For instance, it is known that native species such as the common dormouse, the water vole and the red squirrel are fast disappearing from the British countryside, while other native species such as the red fox, the badger and non-native species such as the grey squirrel and the American mink are on the increase. However, little is known about how the water shrew, the stoat and the weasel are faring. The Tracking Mammal Partnership will complement the work of many conservation and wildlife groups who currently use volunteers to gather annual data on species distribution and population trends. The aim is to have a body of reliable data which will then inform conservation and wildlife management decisions and future assessments of the quality of rural life in Britain. See also www.trackingmammals.org
Food market
Farmleigh, the restored State-owned country house in north Dublin, has joined the ranks of trendy places to food shop at the weekends. Every Sunday in September, the courtyard at Farmleigh will be filled with small producers of cheese, bread, fruit, vegetables, poultry and meat (don't forget to bring your own shopping basket). To complement the food market, leading food writers and chefs - including John McKenna, Tom Doorley and Leylie Hayes - will talk about their passion for food. Meanwhile, the Artisan Food Producers Alliance is calling for urban councils and chambers of commerce to support a network of local produce markets. Tel: 021-4646785 for more details on the AFPA.
Small world
Small is Beautiful is the theme of this year's Green Living Fair at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre in Castle Espie, Comber, Co Down on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September. Included in the fantastic programme of events is a talk by the Mayor of Arcata, the Californian city which has gained the title of the green capital of America, a critique of conventional economics, a talk on the theology of ecology and a Fair Trade Family Clothes Show with everything on sale made from 100 per cent organic cotton and wool. Also, workshops and demonstration in an ecovillage and walks and fun activities for children. Events run from 10.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. each day. A free bus will run from Comber Square to Castle Espie throughout the fair. Admission: adults £4, children £2.50. Tel: 048-91874146. See also www.wwt.org.uk
Conference call
National Heritage Week runs from Saturday next until Sunday, September 14th. Envirovisions 2003, An Taisce's annual general meeting, will be held in Kilkenny Castle on September 27th and 28th. See www.antaisce.org for details, or email envirovisions@ireland.com for registration details. Also, a conference on heritage conservation takes place on September 25th and 26th in Trinity College Dublin,organised by the International Society for the Built Environment. Tel: 047-80450.