Horizons

Turning down the lights: The environmental lobby group Friends of the Irish Environment is urging the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche to dim urban lighting at night.

Citing Rome as an example of a city where dimming has saved 40 per cent of costs, FIE points out there has been a huge loss of dark skies at night in this country. "The experience of a night sky twinkling with stars is becoming rarer and developments over the last 10 years - particularly in commuter belts around our cities - have seen a dramatic loss of dark skies at night," said a spokesperson for FIE. The group is asking Roche to consider issuing guidelines for lighting in the countryside and in urban areas. Light pollution, according to FIE, comes primarily from road lighting that is not always directed downwards, ill-controlled security lighting, poorly designed flood lighting of sports stadiums and public buildings and rural petrol stations and supermarkets. See also friendsoftheirishenvironment.net

Backing biodiversity

The Heritage Council has a new fund of €1 million available to community, environmental and other voluntary groups running biodiversity projects. Dr Liam Lysaght, wildlife officer with the Heritage Council said "If we are serious about tackling biodiversity loss, action and responsibility has to be taken at local level. This fund is the first step in this process." Priority will be given to sites with habitats of special conservation importance or those which support threatened or vulnerable species. Ninety-five bird species and at least 120 plant species are endangered. Many more plant species would now be extinct but for the work and breeding programmes of the National Botanic Gardens. This biodiversity fund will be allocated to projects throughout 2006 and 2007. See www.heritagecouncil.ie for application forms which must be received by February 10th.

Professional preservation

"Saving the Skins in the Natural History Museum" is the title of a new course about the preservation and maintenance of objects in the museum. Run by staff at the Natural History Museum and UCD adult education tutor Julia Sigwart the six-week course will explain what curators do to make things last "forever". The course will be held at the Natural History Museum from 2.30pm-4.30pm on Mondays, starting on January 30th. Cost €90. Phone 01-7167123 or see www.ucd.ie/adulted

Saving windmills from time

The Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland (IHAI) has marked its 10th anniversary with awards to those who have campaigned to recognise and conserve Ireland's industrial heritage. Ruth Delany received a lifetime achievement award for her work with the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. Skerries Mill in north Co Dublin received an award for the best community project. The restored milling complex has two large windmills and a large watermill. Author and journalist Mary Mulvihill was presented with the scientific award for her guidebook Ingenious Ireland, a county by county tour of Ireland's industrial and scientific heritage. See also www.steam-museum.ie/ihai.

EcoWeb

www.theorganiccentre.ie Check out the website of the Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim for the widest range of environmental courses available in this country, covering areas from organic gardening to sustainable housing, from wholefood cooking to natural cosmetics.