Horizons

The week's Heritage & Habitat news in brief

CONSERVATION CONFERENCE

More than 300 representatives from heritage trust organisations around the world will attend the 13th International Conference of National Trusts in Dublin in September. The theme of the conference is Conservation in a Changing Climate.

“We need policy changes that encourage building re-use over new builds and a mindset change – championed by our leaders – which encourages citizens to play their part in protecting heritage,” says Prof John Sweeney, the new president of An Taisce, the National Trust of Ireland, which will host the conference. See internationaltrusts.org

FROGS AND BOGS

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare, will celebrate International Bog Day on Sunday, July 26th from 2pm to 5pm. Activities will include a guided walks across the bogs and pond dipping, nature crafts and frog searches for younger children. The centre, which is run by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, will also hold nature summer camps for seven- to 13-year-olds from Monday, August 10th to Friday, August 14th, from 10am to 1pm each day. Camp activities will include an introduction to insect-eating plants, woodland creepy crawlie hunts and a Bog Party. For more details, tel. 045-860133 or see ipcc.ie.

BROADLEAF APPEAL

The planting of broadleaf trees is on the increase, according to Joe Barry in the current issue of Crannmagazine. "There is a common misconception that the afforestation schemes promote the planting of monocultures of conifers only," he writes.

Barry gives examples of how almost 40 per cent of trees planted in Co Leitrim and 48 per cent of trees planted in the Mid-Western Forestry scheme were broadleaf. “It is increasingly evident that more and more landowners also wish to plant lasting and sustainable woodland that gives them more than just a commercial return,” he says.

Ecoweb

walkingholiday.ie

Check out this site if you fancy going on a guided walking tour or self-guided walking holiday in the mountains of Co Wicklow or Co Kerry. Plenty of testimonials and photos to whet your appetite.