Horizons

Hats off to Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) for its new campaign to tackle the litter problems in our towns and cities. The first genuine all-Ireland anti-litter campaign in recent years, the initiative will "energise local authorities into getting to grips with litter through a spirit of inter-county rivalry", according to Tom Cavanagh of IBAL. The All Ireland Anti-Litter League will involve towns from 29 counties (including three from Northern Ireland) being assessed for litter levels at regular intervals and then ranked. The towns selected will be independently monitored by An Taisce. Litter levels will be assessed according to the amount of chewing gum, graffiti, flyposting, weeds and wrappings. Each town can accumulate up to 100 points and 85 is deemed "litter-free" status. Bonus points will be given for good road surfaces and imposing litter fines.

Ireland has a litter rating of 58, lagging behind Britain and many European countries. "We are among the dirtiest societies in Europe and the consequences for business are substantial. The success of two of our biggest revenue sources - food and tourism - hinge on a perception of cleanliness and hygiene. Next year we will be looking to the European continent to compensate for fewer US visitors. These tourists are typically hygiene- and litter-conscious, as we will discover to our cost if we don't clean up our towns, " says Cavanagh.

Established in 1996, IBAL is a group of businesses that believes litter is an impediment to our future economic growth. Towns to be monitored include Letterkenny in Co Donegal, Newcastle West in Co Limerick, Omagh in Co Tyrone, Navan in Co Meath and Kilkenny city. Results of the first monitoring are expected in January next year.

The Heritage Council is inviting submissions from individuals and organisations for its annual grants. Spread over five categories - archaeology, local heritage, wildlife, publications, and museums and archives, the grants are drawn from a total fund of €990,000.

At this year's launch of the scheme, Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council, said: "Our heritage is owned by and needs to be safeguarded by people from all walks of life. I hope these grants go some way to redressing the misconception that heritage is something possessed and managed by the State or other bodies." December 7th is the closing date for receipt of applications. Forms are available from the Heritage Council (fax: 056 70788; e-mail: www.heritagecouncil.ie).

The largest flock of light-bellied Brent geese ever recorded has recently arrived at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Castle Espie, Strangford Lough. The arrival of 20,000 of these birds marks the completion of a journey from the frozen wastes of the eastern Canadian Arctic to Castle Espie for winter. When they return next spring, they will help pioneer the latest telemetry technology in the cause of conservation.

"Satellite technology will enable us to monitor their entire journey and, for the first time, establish their preferred routes, including feeding and resting places. We will then have a fighting chance of setting up internationally observed safeguards throughout the full 7,000 kilometres of their migration passage," says Dr James Robinson of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Interested in environmentally friendly building and eco-design? If so, don't miss LΘargas on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on RT╔1. Self-builders of homes ranging pre-packaged log houses to straw-bale bungalows will share their experiences with reporter Padraig ╙ Driscoll (as Gaeilge with English subtitles).