Horizons

Coastal clean-upCommunity groups along the east coast are encouraged to adopt and manage stretches of coastline in their areas in an attempt to clean up lesser known rural beaches and coves in counties Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford.

Tourists have already complained about littering on the Irish coastline and environmentalists fear loss of wildlife due to human carelessness. The incentive for community groups keen to protect their local beaches is to gain a Green Coast Award. The awards are given to beaches which meet EU bathing water quality standards and are also valued for their natural unspoilt environment. The EU Blue Flag awards are generally restricted to popular seaside resorts. Four beaches in Co Wexford (Ballinesker, Ballymoney, Cullerton's Gap and Morriscastle) have already gained Green Coast awards and 12 others along the east coast are currently applying for the award. Active coast care groups include the Bull Island Environmental Action Group, the Portmarnock Coastal Group and Meath Beachcombers. Meanwhile, the need for a national coastal network was highlighted at a recent meeting in Co Wexford. Coastal care groups there issued the Wexford Declaration to urge the Government to further support local action programmes on coastal care. The clean coast project in Ireland is co-ordinated by Aidan Gray at An Taisce. Contact him on Tel: 046 9481710 or e-mail gcawards@eircom.net for more details. See also www.antaisce.org/projects/cleancoast.html

Healing hands

Keen to get some dirt under your nails for a good cause? If so, consider joining Conservation Volunteers Ireland on their environmental conservation project in Donadea Forest Park, Co Kildare from September 6th to October 1st. The project involves repairing a protected wall stream in the forest. CVI will provide tools, training and supervision. Volunteers keen to stay in nearby accommodation can do so for €60 per week (includes transport and food). Tel: 01 4952878 for details.

Historic houses

Directors from the national trusts in England, Scotland and the US will throw light on the plight of historic houses in Ireland next month. These international experts will be joined by curators and conservationists from Ireland at the second annual Historic Houses of Ireland conference on September 10th and 11th in NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. The varying histories of Glin Castle, Co Limerick, Pleasant Fields House, Co Cork and Strokestown Park House, Strokestown, Co Roscommon will be given particular attention.

Conference fee: 30. E-mail terence.a.dooley@may.ie for full details.

Seeds of knowledge

Time is ticking for those keen to take up a night course this autumn. The 10-week course on ecological gardening in UCD is one interesting option. Students will learn how to create wildlife habitats in their gardens.

The Thursday evening course will also include practical sessions on seed sowing, tree planting, pruning and composting. Fee: 140.

Registration at the Adult Education Centre, Library Building, UCD. Tel: 01 7167123.