Horizons

CLARE LOOKS TO FUTURE:The provision of electric vehicle charge points and a wind energy strategy are two striking features of the draft Clare County Development Plan for 2011-2017.

The plan also includes proposed zoning of the Shannon estuary for both economic and recreational uses. Heritage is also to the fore, with a detailed record of protected structures for the county. This includes a photograph and description of over 500 buildings and structures already protected, with a further 200 proposed. The draft development plan will be available for viewing in public offices, libraries and at clarecoco.ie at the end of the month. A 10-week public consultation period will follow.

WANTED: MOUNTAIN RANGERS

The Dublin Mountain Partnership is currently recruiting active, enthusiastic and committed walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts to join its established Ranger Team in the spring. The Volunteer Ranger Service helps improve visitors’ experiences on public lands in the Dublin mountains by improving access to walks, marking out trails and other care-taking roles on the mountains. There are also plans to set up a mountain bike patrol within the ranger service. See dublinmountains.ie for details and application form. The closing date for receipt of applications is February 28th.

IRISH INNOVATION PRAISED

Irish research and innovation was praised at the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forum on green technology. The development of biodegradable plastic, garnering energy from sewage treatment and an ecological computer were among the Irish projects that gained acclaim in Paris. “The development of a smart and resilient green economy can make a significant contribution to economic recovery and growth,” says Dr Micheál Lehane of the Environment Protection Agency. Download the report, Innovation for a Green Economy, at epa.ie/downloads/pubs/ research/tech.

ECOWEB

www.cbd.int/2010

This is the official site for the UN International Year of Biodiversity. It gives details of events held throughout the world to celebrate and safeguard the variety of life on Earth.