Native woodlands under threatThe key role of native woodlands - to protect biodiversity - is under threat due to the stalling of funding for the Native Woodland Scheme, according to Dr Declan Little, project manager of Woodlands of Ireland.
"When the scheme was launched in 2001, we were told native woodlands were among Ireland's most valuable habitats, forming an important part of heritage, culture and landscape," says Dr Little. "Yet, the most recently published Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland indicates that the condition of and future prospects of most native woodlands in Ireland is bad." According to Dr Little, lack of funding for maintaining and expanding native woodlands to public- and private-sector landowners will compromise work already done and will prevent Ireland from meeting EU biodiversity targets. Not to mention loss of fuel for sustainable energy units in homes across Ireland.
Politicians face your questions
As Ireland's greenhouse gases continue to rise, the big question is whether we should put a price on carbon in the forthcoming budget. Or should a system of "cap and share", in which everyone has a tradable carbon allocation, be considered? These questions and more will be put to the finance spokespeople of the main political parties at an event on Tuesday at 6pm in Cultivate, East Essex Street, Dublin. The panel, which will be chaired by Irish Times political reporter Harry McGee, will include Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton, Labour Party TD Joan Burton, Green Party Senator Dan Boyle and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming. It has been organised by Dublin Friends of the Earth. Admission is by donation but advance booking and questions should be e-mailed to Dublin@foe.ie.
Sustaining the North
Making sustainable tourism a foundation of the rural economy is the theme of a two-day event in Northern Ireland on October 23rd and 24th. Organised by the international Europarc Federation, the event consists of field trips to the Antrim Coast and Glens and Mourne Mountains on the first day, followed by a seminar at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. Topics for discussion include how local businesses can work together to develop sustainable tourism and how initiatives such as the Europarc Federation Charter for Sustainable Tourism and Green Business accreditation schemes can help. Speakers include Patrizia Rossi, director of sustainable tourism enterprises in the Italian Alps. www.europarc-consulting.org.
Eco-Unesco's 10th birthday
An exhibition celebrating 10 years of Eco-Unesco continues until Wednesday at Enfo, St Andrew Street, Dublin. The exhibition highlights the achievements of young people's work to conserve, protect and enhance Ireland's environment since the Young Environmentalist Awards were launched in September 1999. Teachers and project leaders can avail of free training sessions to help design and implement projects for their school or youth group. These sessions will be held in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Athlone, and Belfast over the next few weeks. Booking essential on 01-6625491, www.ecounesco.ie.
ECOWEB
www.michaelkelly.ie
Check out this witty site by author and journalist Michael Kelly, who gave up life in the fast lane to grow vegetables, keep hens and pigs and encourage others to do so. Kelly is also a founding member of the Waterford Food Producers' Network, which will have its first meeting on Wednesday at 6.30pm in Waterford City Library.
