Horizons

EPA seeks your input:"We need to know what environmental priorities the public would like to see addressed and what steps might be taken to address them," says Dr Mary Kelly of the Environmental Protection Agency, which is keen to hear what members of the public consider to be the most important environmental issues, as laid out in their most recent strategy document, 2020 Vision: Protecting and Improving Ireland's Environment.

The six main issues identified in the draft strategy are clean air, clean and plentiful water resources, protected soil and biodiversity, waste management, and limiting and adapting to climate change. The draft strategy can be downloaded on www.epa.ie or copies requested on 053-9160600. All submissions to 2020 Vision, EPA, PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford or e-mail 2020vision@epa.ie. The deadline for receipt of submissions is February 22nd.

The beauty of biomass

Cré Composting Association of Ireland and the European Compost Network are holding an international conference on composting in Dublin Castle on February 19th and 20th. The theme of the conference is the sustainable use of biomass in soils or as an energy source. Experts from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, England, Austria and Ireland will look at biomass, biowaste and bioenergy. The roll-out of the brown bin collections (used for organic waste, these bins are currently being piloted in certain areas) in Ireland will be reviewed and cost assessments for collection and use of biowaste in urban areas and on farms will be discussed. Full details on www.cre.ie/dublin2007. See also www.compostnetwork.info.

Friends' annual get-together

This year's gathering of Friends of the Irish Environment takes place in An Tairseach Ecology Centre in Wicklow town on February 17th and 18th. Environmental rights will be discussed, and there will be an introduction to the Aarhus Convention by Michael Ewing. According to Ewing, a researcher at Sligo Institute of Technology, Ireland is the only European country that has not ratified the Aarhus Convention, which guarantees public rights of access to environmental information and involvement in environmental decision-making. A number of other environmental topics - including forestry, transport, climate change, building and planning - will be discussed. To book, e-mail judyosborne@esatclear.ie.

Commendation for Celt

The quality of the environmental courses run by the Centre for Environmental Living and Training (Celt) in east Clare was recognised recently with an award from Aontas, the National Association of Adult Education. Celt was commended for its "outstanding, learner-centred adult education projects that demonstrate high levels of collaboration amongst participant groups". Forthcoming courses at Celt include hedgerow maintenance (February 24th), native woodland design and management (March 10th and 11th) and woodlands and wetlands flora and fauna identification (April 21st and May 26th). See www.celtnet.org for full details or tel: 061-640765.