Horizons

Upcoming Nature events

Airfield Trust unrest

The future plans for Airfield Trust, a 35-acre urban farm and residence in Dundrum, Co Dublin, have caused quite a stir of late. On the one hand, a number of people in the south Dublin area are actively campaigning that no area of the estate be zoned for housing. They are particularly concerned about one three-and-a-half acre area known as Dudley's Field which the trustees of Airfield are proposing to sell to fund the further development of Airfield.

Meanwhile the trustees of the private educational and recreational facility have put together an impressive plan to develop Airfield with the assistance of the ecological architecture firm, Solearth. Included in these plans are a new conference centre, a new museum dedicated to the Overend sisters - the original owners of Airfield - enhanced walks and replanted woodlands.

The local branches of the Labour Party and the Green Party, together with residents' groups, have organised a public meeting on Monday at 8 p.m. in Dom Marmion House, Dundrum. Green Party TD Eamon Ryan says: "I'm in favour of the development of the Airfield Trust but not at the expense of selling the three and a half acres of land. We're calling on the departments of Agriculture, Education and Environment to provide the shortfall in funding required to prevent that happening." John Edmondson, chairman of the trustees of Airfield, says: "Solearth have shown us what is possible and now we'll have to look at all parts of the masterplan to see what we can afford and what gives good value."

The future plans for the Airfield Trust will be on display in Airfield House, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, every day from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (or in the evenings by appointment). You can meet the animals from 2.15 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. today. Adults €4, children €2. Tel: 01 2984301.

Bird conservation conference

Land for Birds is the theme of the 37th All-Ireland Conference on Bird Conservation in the Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow, Co Wicklow, from March 5th to 7th. The London Wetland Centre and nature reserves in Belgium, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be among the topics to be discussed. Booking via Birdwatch Ireland on Tel: 01 2819878. Cost: 45 for weekend or 25 per day. See also www.birdwatchireland.ie

First hemp building

Ireland's first hemp building is due to be finished by the end of this month. A timber-framed structure which has hemp, lime mortar and sand instead of traditional concrete blocks, it will be used as the administrative office for Marcus McCabe's environmental waste disposal systems, Ecoflow. One of the advantages is the zero emission of carbon dioxide during construction. Check out the progress on www.oldbuilders.com  See also www.constructireland.ie

Seedsavers date check

The Irish Seedsavers' Association open day in the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo is on Sunday, February 29th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and not on Saturday next as mentioned here. Contact 094 9031751 for full details.