Horizons

Antarctica: Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and highest continent on Earth, is the subject of an exhibition and lecture series in Tralee, Co Kerry, during Science Week, which begins on Monday.

Some of the world's leading Anatartica scientists, from the British Antarctic Survey, will give talks, including: glaciologist Prof Liz Morris, who will speak on global warming; Dr Brian Gardiner who first discovered the hole in the ozone layer in 1985; and Dr Julian Paren, who will speak on climate change. Visitors can also tour the Antarctica exhibition which features original artefacts from expeditions by those known as the Great Explorers during the Heroic Age (1895-1915). The local interest is, of course, Kerry-born Tom Crean who was among the first group of explorers to visit Antarctica.

Antartica Weekend, a celebration of these explorers through lectures, music, drama and a visit to Tom Crean's home takes place from November 15th to 17th. For more details contact the Kerry County Museu: 066-7127777.

Saving trees from ivy

Semi-retired cardiologist and tree enthusiast Risteard Mulcahy vents his frustration against the growth of ivy on hedgerows and woodland trees in the current issue of Releafing Ireland magazine. Mulcahy believes that heavy ivy infestation impairs the tree's growth and distorts the tree's natural fullness, beauty and configuration. "After a long struggle, the tree will die prematurely. Ivy also conceals the bark of hardwoods, an important loss of colour and beauty in our winter trees," he writes. Citing research he carried out during the writing of his book, For Love of Trees (Aurelian Press, 1996), Mulcahy says that heavily infested trees will recover after the ivy is cut (at the bottom of the tree). He suggests you take a photograph of the tree now and again in two or three years time to note the improvement.

Spotted owl under threat

Environmentalists in British Columbia, Canada, are fighting for the preservation of habitats of the spotted owl. They believe that unless logging in its forest habitats is ended, the spotted owl will become extinct within a decade. Its population has dropped by 49 per cent since 1992 and there are now only 25 breeding pairs. The owls have protected status in the US but not in Canada, where the only population is found in British Columbia. Wildlife groups are calling on the provincial government there to pass forestry legislation to protect this endangered species.

Heritage Council grants

Finally, a reminder that the Heritage Council's deadline for applications for next year's grants is December 6th. Funding is available for projects under categories including local heritage, publications, wildlife, museums, archives, archaeology and new this year, architecture research. This year, the Heritage Council gave grants to 95 projects. For more information, contact: The 2003 Heritage Grants Programme, The Heritage Council, Kilkenny. Fax: 056-70788. E-mail: flynch@heritagecouncil.com