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Video captures essence of Ireland’s wildlife at National Biodiversity Conference

Ireland's Wildlife Video

Ireland is home to some truly phenomenal wildlife. Our position on the western periphery of Europe, perched on the edge of the wild North Atlantic, makes this a truly special place. The essence of Ireland’s natural heritage is encapsulated in this short video, compiled by Crossing The Line Films. It….

New Biodiversity Maps system a “game changer” for conservation

Biodiversity Maps Interface

The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) has launched a major upgrade to its online data portal, Biodiversity Maps. The new system offers enhanced online access to the Centre’s national repository of sightings data, consisting of more than four million verified records from multiple sources spanning almost 16,000 species. The system….

The Wild Postcard Project: boosting awareness of Ireland’s Biodiversity

A new biodiversity art project aimed at Ireland’s youth is looking to spread the word about Ireland’s amazing wildlife far and wide with postcards. Founders Eileen Diskin and Angela Stevenson explain… A survey several years ago in the UK found that the general public is largely unfamiliar with the term ‘biodiversity’,….

Wildlife Projects for Tidy Towns

Early flowers provide vital food for pollinators

Ireland’s Wildlife contributor Albert Nolan urges communities to champion wildlife as part of the nationwide Tidy Towns initiative.   Spring had forgotten about our part of the world as a chilling wind greeted us in the morning. Bags and pickers were quickly shared out and everyone was glad to start walking and get the….

Conserving Ireland’s Seas: The Marine and Coastal Protection Areas of Ireland initiative

Ireland's Marine and Coastal Protected Areas Initiative

Looking after Ireland’s marine environment should be a massive priority for the Irish government, not just because of EU directives and potential sanctions, or the very obvious benefits to our rich coastal biodiversity, but also for moral, social and economic reasons. Peter Green of the Marine and Coastal Protection Areas of Ireland….

Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years

Black Arches Moth rediscovered

The National Biodiversity Data Centre announced on its Facebook Fan Page yesterday that it has received a record of a Black Arches moth (Lymantria monacha) from Camolin Woods in Co. Wexford. This is the first record of this species occurring in Ireland for 100 years. It was last recorded from a….

Ireland’s first Urban BioBlitz to take place in Limerick City

Ireland's Urban BioBlitz, Limerick

Members of the public in Limerick City and surrounding areas are being invited to join wildlife experts and ecologists this weekend in Ireland’s first ever Urban BioBlitz. Hosted by Limerick City Council, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns Group and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Limerick Urban BioBlitz aims to identify and….

Living on the edge: “Model County” doing its bit for Irish biodiversity

Life lives on the edge

In general Ireland’s local authorities seem to see roadside verges and hedgerows as areas to be trimmed and tamed. You see evidence of verge cutting and the decimation of hedgerows everywhere as you drive around the country. Neatly side-stepping the law in the name of health and safety, local authorities….

Colebrooke Estate claims Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 crown

BioBlitz 2013 television coverage

The team of volunteer experts at Colebrooke Estate in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland were crowned “All Ireland BioBlitz Champions” for 2013 over the weekend with an impressive closing tally of 1,086 species in 24 hours. Colebrooke beat Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Rosscommon (959 species); The Burren National Park, Co. Clare….

Biodiversity Beermats bring wildlife to Dublin pubs

Biodiversity beermat -- salmon

A group of postgraduate students at the School of Natural Sciences in Dublin has come up with an innovative way of engaging with the Irish public about the importance of biodiversity. They’ve produced a set of  eight “Biodiversity Beermats”, each featuring a fun biodiversity fact, and beautifully designed and illustrated….

IWT and Biology.ie team up to encourage citizen science

Citizen Science in action: interactive Biology.ie sightings map on the IWT homepage

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) and wildlife records and mapping website Biology.ie have joined forces to encourage more people in Ireland to submit their wildlife sightings online. According to a post on the IWT website the hope is that the initiative will “contribute to the growing level of ‘citizen science’….

Glengarriff crowned BioBlitz 2012 champions

Glengarriff Nature Reserve in West Cork was crowned BioBlitz Champion 2012 over the weekend with an incredible tally of 1,020 species over 24 hours. The team at Glengarriff beat stiff competition from Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co. Down, Lough Boora Country Park in Co. Offaly and Dublin’s Phoenix Park, coming….