Wild Wicklow Week

Celebrating Biodiversity in County Wicklow 18th – 26th May 2013

For the seventh year, Ireland is dedicating one week as National Biodiversity Week in order to create awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to better understand its value to the local, national and international community.This year the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has designated a theme of Water & Biodiversity.

The word ‘biodiversity’ is coined from biological diversity, which , put simply is another way of referring to the variety of life on the planet. Biodiversity is about the variety of plant and animal species and the interaction between them. It is this interaction that is essential for life, giving us all the things we need – clean air, water, agriculture, food and amenity.

In short, our own health and wealth is directly linked to the health and wealth of the habitats and species that surround us.

This year there will be a host of activities taking place under the theme “Wild Wicklow”, offering us the chance to appreciate the wonderful natural heritage of county Wicklow in a variety of interactive and fun ways.

Sun 19th Dawn Chorus Day

All over Ireland people will be getting up early to join a guided walk and listen to the birds’ songs. You have a choice of two Dawn Chorus outings taking place in County Wicklow. Adults & children are welcome but no dogs please. Glendalough, Upper Lake Information Office.5.00am, Guided walk, followed by an optional Birdsong Workshop in the Education Centre. Hosted by Birdwatch Ireland & Wicklow Mountains National Park. For more information Tel: 0404 45425. East Coast Nature Reserve, Newcastle, 5.00 am:Meet at the entrance to the Reserve. Hosted by Birdwatch Ireland. For more information see http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/

Sun 19th Wetland Safari – Family Fun in Wicklow Town

12 – 2 pm. Meet at the Parnell Bridge Wicklow Town, join this child friendly outing with the Irish Wildlife Trust to learn more about the wildlife along the Leitrim River. Featuring pond dipping, viewing tank, plant, bird and bug identification, art and fun activities. For more information dburns@wicklowcoco.ie

Mon – Fri Wicklow’s Wonderful Wetlands Exhibition

Come along to view this beautiful colourful exhibition from the IWT about the importance of Wetlands to our everyday lives and find out more about wetlands on your doorstep from the recent county survey 9.00- 5.00 County Buildings, Wicklow Town. For more information dburns@wicklowcoco.ie

Tues 21st Avondale Forest Park , Rathdrum – Guided Walk

Starts at 2.00 pm Coillte T: 0404 46111

Tues 21st ‘From Dippers to Lampreys- Wildlife in Wicklow’s Rivers’

Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, 7.30 pm. Hear about the results of a recent study of Wicklow’s rivers organised by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council. Featuring presentations by Donnchadh Byrne, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Alex Copeland from Birdwatch Ireland. For more information dburns@wicklowcoco.ie

Sat 25th Bioblitz 2013

Wicklow Mountains National Park is participating in Bioblitz 2013 and will be competing with three other sites in Ireland to record the most species of wildlife over a 24-hour period. For anyone interested in wildlife this is a unique opportunity to come along and talk to a range of experts or to take part in an action packed programme of activities:9.00 – Opening Moth Traps; 10.00 Introduction to Newts followed by Newt Art; 12.00 Pond Dipping; 14.00 – Introduction to newts: 15.00 Butterfly Walk; Upland Bird Walk; Electro Fishing. For more information Tel: 0404 45425

Wicklow’s Living Wetlands Photography competition

Send us your images of WETLANDS under the following themes: Scenic Beauty; Wildlife; Wetland Services; Wetlands and People and be in with a chance to win a prize and feature in our Heritage Week exhibition. Closing date 2nd August. Organised by Wicklow County Council in partnership with Birdwatch Ireland. More information dburns@wicklowcoco.ie or keep an eye on the website for further details. Entries to competitions@birdwatchireland.ie

Biodiversity Fund 2013

The Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht seeks applications for small scale projects (max. €5000) to raise awareness of biodiversity. For more information and application forms http://www.noticenature.ie/Closing date 28th June

Did you know?

You can help. Keeping records of the location and timing of the sightings of wild plant and animal species is a valuable conservation tool, helping us to better understand our biodiversity and to identify trends. Visit http://www.biology.ie/ to record your sightings of plants and animals, or to find out what others have seen in your area. Visit http://www.noticenature.ie/ for more information on biodiversity in Ireland

Increasing awareness and appreciation of biodiversity is one of the aims of the County Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan. Copies of the Plan are available on www.wicklow.ie/ heritage/ biodiversity or by request from Deirdre Burns Heritage Officer, Wicklow County Council: dburns@wicklowcoco.ie

County Wicklow Biodiversity Week events 2013 are dedicated to the memory of the late Eamon De Buitléar .