Dates for your diary
New Zealand in vanguard
Kick the Habit: Towards a Low-Carbon Economy was the main theme of World Environment Day on Thursday, hosted by Wellington, New Zealand, where the role of forests in countering greenhouse gases was emphasised. "New Zealand is among a pioneer group of countries committed to accelerating a transition to a low-carbon and carbon-neutral economy. This is essential to reversing the growth of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Along the way we will see more rapid and widespread access to cleaner and greener energy, and new job opportunities," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, which runs World Environment Day events. See www.unep.org/wed/2008 for more details.
Learn the outdoor code
The summer programme of the Wicklow Mountains National Park continues next Saturday with an event that will encourage all users of the uplands to respect the landscape. Throughout the day, guides will demonstrate the principles of the outdoor ethics devised by the Leave No Trace organisation. These principles are: plan ahead and prepare; be considerate of others; respect farm animals and wildlife; travel and camp on durable ground; leave what you find; dispose of waste properly; and minimise the effects of fire. The event is open to people of all ages and runs from 11am to 4pm in and around the upper lake car park in Glendalough, Co Wicklow. See www.wicklownationalpark.ie and www.leavenotraceireland.org for details.
Meanwhile, the first of 10 summer lectures at the education centre beside the upper lake in Glendalough takes place on Thursday at 8pm. The weekly series, which will look at birds, bats and bogs, begins with an overview of current projects in Wicklow Mountains National Park. Admission free. Telephone 0404-45425 for more details.
A whale of a time
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is hosting three whale-watching weekend courses this summer on Cape Clear Island, Co Cork. A superb way to learn about the ecology and distribution of the 24 cetacean species in Irish waters, the courses will also teach participants how to identify and record the species. This year's courses, which cost €90, run from June 27th to 29th, July 25th to 27th and August 29th to 31st. See www.iwdg.ie, e-mail padraig.whooley@iwdg.ieor telephone 023-38761 for more details.
Historic opportunity
The sixth annual Historic Houses of Ireland conference will be in NUI Maynooth on June 19th and 20th, where speakers will address the theme of History, Continuity and Change. Talks include Is it Landscape for the Houses or Houses for the Landscape?, by Michael Starrett, Heritage Council of Ireland chief executive. Kevin Baird, of the Irish Heritage Trust, will speak about renovating Fota House and gardens in Co Cork, while Heritage Council architect Colm Murray will look at sustainability and country houses. Also of interest should be Jacinta Prunty's talk on how women's religious congregations "colonised" estates in the 19th and early 20th centuries . To book, telephone 01-7086959 or e-mail karol.mullaneydignam@nuim.ie See also www.historichouses.ie
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