No uphill strugglesLocal Involvement in Countryside Management is the theme of a two-day workshop organised by the Wicklow Uplands Council and the Irish Uplands Forum on October 23rd and 24th in the Glendalough Hotel, Glendalough, Co Wicklow.
The aim of the workshop is to share experiences of local involvement in environmental management and recreation. For instance, the Wicklow Uplands Council itself will be discussed from the perspective of a farmer, a recreation officer and a development officer.
Participants will also get a chance to go on field trips to the Tinahely Railway Walk, the Cronelea wind farm, the Glenmalure Access Route (where an old hunting path is being restored by Mountain Meitheal volunteers), the East Coast Nature Reserve at Blackditch Wood (where habitats are being restored by Birdwatch Ireland) and the Ballinastoe Mountain Biking Trails. For booking details, tel: 0404-43958 or e-mail info@wicklowuplands.ie
Meanwhile, in Co Clare, funding has been granted for the employment of a rural recreation officer to manage the Burren Way and other walking routes in County Clare. The officer will act as a liaison between landowners and walking tourists to ensure that the designated walking routes are managed well in a way that will not impact negatively on the environment or cause undue problems for local landowners.
Hug a tree
Next Thursday is National Tree Day and primary-school children will get a chance to join in guided woodland walks at more than 120 locations around the country.
Organised by Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the OPW, local authorities and private landowners, the guided walks give children an opportunity to learn about trees and the environment at one of the most beautiful times of the year.
This year's theme is the Year of the Aspen. The aspen, which thrives in wet fertile land, is believed to be Ireland's only native poplar tree. Aspen timber is used for making matches, as its low flammability makes it safer than other timbers. Traditionally, it was also used to make storage boxes for cheese and butter as the timber did not taint the produce.
There are few townlands named after the aspen, which possibly indicated its scarcity. However, Glencree in Co Wicklow is derived from the Irish Gleann Crithigh, the "valley of the aspen".
To find out more about National Tree Day, contact the Tree Council of Ireland on tel: 01-4931313 or see www.treecouncil.ie
Watch this space
Barry Bergdoll, chief curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and Steve Pile, professor of human geography at the Open University, will speak on contemporary and historic architecture next week in the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
The public talk on Friday at 5pm is part of a University College Dublin conference entitled Defining Space in Contemporary and Modern Culture. Admission is free but prior booking is essential. E-mail hii@ucd.ie For the full conference programme, see www.definingspace.ie.
Eco Web
October is international walk to school month and this site gives details of how children, parents, teachers and community leaders in 42 countries are involved in publicising the benefits of walking to school. Check it out for inspiration or join or create a walking bus in your area so children can walk to school safely. www.iwalktoschool.org