Explore what’s on during Biodiversity Week below!
Use the tags to filter by county, or the categories to browse by topic.
Featured image credit: Lining the Nest, by Colette Gemmell
There are lots of things living in your garden and local parks or wild areas. Take part in the scavenger hunt to see what you can find. Will you be able to complete the hunt?
Our Scavenger Hunt and activity sheets ensure that the whole family can take part in the weekend fun, and have some time away from screens. Head outside to see what you can find!
This year our sheets focus on habitats. Learn about what lives On Solid Ground or In Watery Places. See how many you can find, and solve the puzzles on the back of the sheet.
Both sheets are for all ages, so you can choose which would suit you best. ‘On Solid Ground’ is designed to be a little easier, while ‘In Watery Places’ presents more of a challenge.
You can complete the Hunt or Challenges at any time, but be sure to share them with us during the month of May to be in with a chance to win a prize!
Download your sheets here: https://biodiversityweek.ie/biodiversity-scavenger-hunt/
20 photographs of Starling Murmurations over Lough Ennell taken by John McCauley and Rodney Cleary. This exhibition can be viewed during Library opening hours. This exhibition will be officially launched on Thurs 25th May at 6pm by Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland – regular contributor to Mooney Goes Wild on RTÉ Radio One and co-presenter of the In Your Nature Podcast series.
Wondering what that plant is? Who that insect is visiting your flowers? Maybe you’ve seen an unknown bird at your feeder, or strange creatures at your local waterway or park. Explore your local area to discover fabulous flora and fauna! Our ecologists and wildlife experts will identify it for you!
Ask Our Experts from the Irish Environmental Network
Ask our ecologists and experts to identify what you’ve found! They will be on hand to ID your finds throughout the weekend.
Simply share your photo on Twitter or Instagram at any stage over the weekend, with #BackyardBioblitz, and tag us on Twitter @IrishEnvNet or Instagram @national.biodiversity.week
Meeting at Rise at the Cove, A63 V406, this family friendly beach clean takes place on the last Sunday of every month. All are welcome, equipment provided. You can keep track on all their activities here: https://www.facebook.com/CleanCoastsNW
Join Wicklow County Council and Astrid Adler at Kindlestown Woods for this immersive walk through the woods and learn all about the lives of the plants around us. Full details and reservations here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hedge-bothering-tickets-631622769707
To celebrate Biodiversity Week 2023, there is no admission charge and entry to the certified organic garden and beautiful nature trail forest walk along the River Nanny is free. The Eco Centre is located in the Ninch, Laytown, Co. Meath and is 10 minutes walk from Laytown train station. An Eco Shop, zero waste refill station, 2nd hand shop, Bee museum and a vegetarian / vegan cafe are on site so it would make a lovely biodiversity friendly day out for all the family. We are open every Friday to Sunday and will have a range of events and activities throughout Biodiversity week, please see https://sonairte.ie/events
Join us for an exciting Talk about Trees session with Ger Clarke. Ger has recently helped us to establish a Native tree nursery here in Sonairte and he will explain how and why this is so important.
Ger Clarke has a background in the Earth sciences. Having studied zoology, botany and geology in UCG. He also studied for a Masters in Ecology and Theology. He worked with the Columban missionaries for over 25 years as an education officer in ecology. He was chairman and board member of Crann, the largest tree charity in Ireland. He was involved in the establishment of the Meath Natural History Field Club. Has been a participant in the Meath Environmental Network, (part of the PPN group). Ger loves writing, art, hiking, swimming and history/archaeology.
Location: Sonairte Visitor Eco Centre and Gardens, The Ninch, Laytown, Meath
To celebrate National Biodiversity Week 2023 which runs from the 19th – 28th of May, we’re excited to announce the 1st Annual River Nore Biodiversity Survey!
We we will be looking for keen Citizen Scientists to help us search the beautiful banks of the river and see what animals and plants we can spot!
Meeting Point: Ossory Bridge, Kilkenny End point: Bennettsbridge
Meeting point: Near the Waterfall.
The event is free and open to all ages.
Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pond-dipping-in-father-collins-park-tickets-639232500617
Event is:
– Family friendly
– Registration not required
– Disability accessible – no, but we will be close to paths in the park and could accommodate wheelchair users.
Join Alex from Understory supported by Delgany Tidy Towns in this outdoor workshop to explore what biodiversity means through tactile learning. We start with a short walk to find natural materials and then incorporate them to make our very own biodiversity inspired sculpture. This event is perfect for families; all ages from preschool to students, parents, and grandparents.
Meeting at Archers Wood tennis courts, A63 A2K1, to take part.
Wheelchair accessible with care and assistance.
Ponds are great for biodiversity but if you’re not sure where to start, this demonstration workshop is just for you. Rob will explain how to build your own wildlife pond, including suitable depth and materials to use.
We also have a pond dipping event in the park from 2pm, so do come early if that suits. The event if free.
Meeting point: Near the Waterfall.
Photo: Little frog in our garden pond by Eirian Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Event is:
– Family friendly
– Registration not required
– Disability accessible – demonstration will be along pathways in the park.
Join the guardian of Ireland’s oldest food forest Astrid Adler, youth activist Orla Murphy, and Wicklow’s new Biodiversity Officer Laura Kehoe, as we chat about our role in this world, how we can transform society and the ground beneath us, and how we find joy along the way.
May 28th, 7pm, The Happy Pear, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/riders-on-the-storm-honest-chats-about-a-world-on-fire-tickets-635293057637
Join Gordon Elliott of Christchurch Parish and Keith Scanlon, of Delgany Tidy Towns at the Old School House A63F858 to hear what works, what doesn’t work, and share your experiences of sustainable fashion.
For Biodiversity Week, we will specifically discuss the impact on Irish Biodiversity (and Irish wool & sheep farming, and impact of sheep on the uplands, and dumping and recycling and pollution etc.)
PS. This is a monthly meet up. Join us next month for a talk on Forests & mini forests.
