Hi IEN,

Welcome to the August edition of Connecting Nationwide, our monthly newsletter full of environmental news and events throughout Ireland.

This month's newsletter is packed with events, including events coming up in September. Browse through whale watching events, kids workshops, webinars, festivals and conferences, as well as podcasts and resources for teachers in our Resources section, and more jobs in the Environmental NGO sector too!

We also have an update on the Nature Restoration Law, which I'm delighted to announce was not rejected at EU level! Credit goes to everyone who contacted their MEPs about it, as the Irish MEPs voting in favour of the law were crucial, passing by a narrow margin of 12 votes!

Another victory closer to home that should be celebrated is the passing of the Rational Use of Pesticides Policy by Westmeath County Council! Community/Environmental representatives in Westmeath PPN worked tirelessly to see this policy through to this stage, as well as local councillors. Read more about it below.

Cosy up and have a scroll through all the wonderful news and events below for this August!

All the best,

Catherine.

'Rational Use of Pesticides Policy' passes in Westmeath

After much work from community representatives in Westmeath Public Participation Network and local councillors, Westmeath County Council has adopted a new policy which is designed to limit its use of controversial chemical pesticides, such as glyphosate.

The Rational Use of Pesticides was formally adopted last week, and sets in place a hierarchical process of consideration for the council when it comes to removing weeds. This means that alternative methods of weed control will be considered first such as manual weed removal or creating wildflower patches.

This is a huge success for those who have been working on this policy in Westmeath, and can provide a guideline for herbicide use in other councils too.

Here is an article that gives an overview of the policy, and more detail about what it means for the council.

You can read the policy proposal from Westmeath here.

Similar policies have also been passed in Wicklow and Dublin City.

These is a Whatsapp group for those who are intersted in working on Herbicide Use Policies in their county. Members of PPNs and those who are interested in the topic have already joined, and all are welcome. If you'd like to join you can text Catherine on 087 780 4505 to be added, or email catherine@ien.ie.

This policy would not have been possible without the work of those in Westmeath PPN. If you'd like to join your PPN and get involved in local decision making, you can find yours here.

Ballinaglera Biodiversity Day

Good Energies Alliance Ireland hosts Biodiversity Day to raise awareness on the state of biodiversity in Leitrim, and to share the results of the study conducted by ecologist Heather Bothwell on the biodiversity found in the nearby high nature and heritage areas and present an Action Plan to protect the species inhabiting it.

Read more here

Expert Briefing on Rights of Nature: Towards a constitutional amendment in the Republic of Ireland

August 8th, 11am

Invitation to activists following the implementation of recommendations from the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Notice: Expert Briefing on Rights of Nature: Towards a constitutional amendment in the Republic of Ireland

Venue: Irish Environmental Network, Macro Resource Centre. 1 Green St, Dublin 7, D07 X6NR, Ireland

11.00-13.00: International Legal Briefing by Thomas Linzey and Mari Margil: Advancing a constitutional amendment on Rights of Nature in Ireland

13.00-13.45: Lunch Break

14.00:15.30: Media Interviews and Bilaterals

Register for this event:

A confirmation of your intention to attend can be sent to Peter Doran at p.f.doran@qub.ac.uk so that we can plan for refreshments.

Climate Camp in Leitrim is about ‘people coming together to make change’

Family-friendly ‘festival of resistance’ from 9th-13th August aims ‘to rebuild our relationship to land and each other’ 

Hundreds of climate campaigners, community activists and others will gather in north Leitrim in early August for this year’s Climate Camp, a five-day “festival of resistance” that aims to “build a radical climate movement across the island of Ireland” and to oppose the capitalist model of growth and profit that is the main driving force behind the climate crisis. 

As well as coming together to share skills and strategies for climate action, organisers say they will take direct action against the extractive industries that threaten to turn north Leitrim into a “sacrifice zone”, including conifer forestry plantations and gold-mining. 

The family-friendly gathering, at Pollboy near Manorhamilton from 9th to 13th August, will feature climate-related workshops, talks and walks, direct action training, practical skill-sharing, music, dancing, cultural activities, festival fun and more. 

Find out more about this festival here

ANTIBIOTICS IN SURFACE WATERS:

The Irish Scenario

9th August, 7pm - 8pm, online

Antibiotics, during manufacture, as well as administration to human patients and livestock, enter surface waters worldwide. This antibiotic pollution of the environment can lead to both ecological damage, and resistance development in environmental bacteria. This talk will discuss causes, issues, and ways forward for this global human health risk.

With guest speaker Ciarán Monahan, Researcher and Events Co-Ordinator with Green Foundation Ireland, and postdoctoral researcher in University College Dublin. His research thus far focussing on antibiotic resistance development risks in the environment and the resulting human health risks. Having graduated in zoology from UCD, he has a particular interest in wildlife, creativity and education, and has completed a study for Green Foundation Ireland on sustainability assessment in the Leaving Certificate.

More info and register here

How to fund climate justice:

Launch of the new Cap and Share Climate Alliance.

August 10th, 12.30pm - 2pm, Online

This online event, co-hosted by Feasta and six other NGOs on three continents, will launch the new global network Cap and Share Climate Alliance that will be campaigning for a fair phase-out of fossil fuels worldwide.

The event will be chaired by Harjeet Singh, the Head of Global Political Strategy at Climate Action Network International, and facilitated by Mike Sandler, the chair of Feasta's board of trustees.

Participants will include Sydney Chisi of Equal Right, Caroline Whyte of Feasta, Rahul Basu of The Future We Need, Appolinaire Zagabe of the DRC Climate Change Network, Adrien Fabre of Global Redistribution Advocates, Emilia Reyes of Equidad de Género, Juan David Amaya of Fridays for Future, and Abel Musumali.

Reserve your spot here

Words on Water

Friends Of Castle Lake Catchment presents Words on Water.

19th August, 12 noon, at The Castle Lake Bailieborough (Drumkeery car park entrance), Cavan

Speakers:

Ben Malone (Local Authority Waters Programme) will do The Science On Life Under Water

Fidel Hogan Walsh (Poet) will weave her Nature-Inspired Poetry

Elizabeth McKenna (BirdWatch Ireland) will talk about The Wildlife That Lives Above The Water

Followed by a ‘Duck Race’ on the river organised by Barry Kavanagh to raise much needed funds for Friends of Castle Lake Catchment

All welcome to this free event. This event is kindly hosted by Cavan Heritage

Heritage Week Workshop for Kids

Whale Watching Ireland 2023

Basic Alterations:

Get More from the Clothes You Already Own

Basic Alterations:

Making Trousers & Jeans Your Own

Science Workshop for Kids

IWDG Residential Weekend

Whale Watching/Identification Courses

22 - 24 Sept, Cork

Venue: CECAS, Centre of Excellence for Climate Action & Sustainability

Where: Myross Wood House, Leap, Co. Cork, P81 Y192

Dates: September 22-24th 2023

Bookings on Eventbrite here

Weekend in the Hills

A weekend of craft learning and community building

23rd / 24th September at Slieve Aughty Centre, Loughrea, Galway

Learn a new skill ! (or improve on an existing one) : choose from Mixed Metal and Silver Jewellery; Longbow Making; Glass Bead Making;  Herblore; Bushcraft Survival for adults; Woodcarving;  Willow Weaving; Sheepskin Tanning; Súgán Chair Making;  Bowl turning on a Foot Powered Lathe; Leather Work .  

A range of accommodation is available (en suite rooms / cabins / camping) and delicious organic food.  

Book now! www.celtnet.org

Wildlife Crime and Conservation Conference

30 Sept - 1 Oct, Glenview Hotel, Wicklow

Two day conferene on all aspects of Wildife Crime.

Day one: Wildlife Crime - Justice for Nature

Day two: conervation - How to Nurture Nature

See full line up of speakers and ticket prices here.

All About Hedgerows

WATCH THIS SPACE

Keep an eye out for IEN's upcoming Autumn event that is all about hedgerows in collaboration with Hedgerows Ireland!

Learn from experts, meet others in the field, take action for nature and biodiversity!

You will learn how to plan, plant and maintain a hedgerow, including practical demonstrations and more!

#RestoreNature - Update

European Parliament Adopts a Weakened Nature Restoration Law

The European parliament has voted against the rejection of a draft law, and so has voted to adopt an EU Nature Restoration Law!

Thank you to everyone who contacted their MEPs about this important law. Irish MEPs’ votes were critical in the end as all thirteen voted against the rejection amendment in a vote where only twelve votes separated the two sides.

The Irish government now must adopt a strong negotiating position in Council in line with the strong public support for nature restoration on the ground in Ireland.

However, in order to achieve a majority in the parliament the more progressive groups had to vote in line with the right-wing groups to significantly weaken the ambition of the draft law. Many of these amendments have deleted important sections of the law. This includes the entire section that relates to improving biodiversity within farmland and forestry.

This section also contained the rewetting targets for peat soils which have been subject to intense lobbying and misinformation from some within the agricultural lobby. Amendments to delay the implementation of the law also passed.

Bizarrely despite the European People’s Party, of which Fine Gael are members, claiming that they were opposing the law in the interests of farmers they ultimately voted against amendments that would have established a new nature restoration fund.The Environmental Pillar had called for this fund to empower farmers with additional money outside of the Common Agricultural Policy so they can lead in the EU’s efforts to restore nature.

You can read about the Nature Restoration Law in more detail here (article by Oliver Moore via ARC2020).

Rediscover Cycling

Get ready to hit the road this summer with Rediscover Cycling!

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting your biking journey, Rediscover Cycling ensures that every bike is expertly restored and ready for adventure.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grab a reliable and refurbished ride at an unbeatable price.

Explore our wide range of refurbished secondhand bike on our website, or pop in to our Ecostore in Ballymun.

Circular Economy News

Attention all circular economy enthusiasts! Want the inside scoop on what’s happening in the world of circularity? Our July Circular Economy Newsletter is here!

Take a moment to read about the new repair incentive scheme introduced in France, the first town in Ireland to ban single-use coffee cups, funding opportunities for aspiring circular entrepreneurs, creating second lives for bubble wrap, and so much more.

Read the full newsletter here

PPN Spotlight

Carlow

Environmental groups in Carlow PPN include County Carlow Environmental Network (CCEN), The Drummin Bog Project, One Future Carlow-Kilkenny, Myshall Nature, and more!

If you're not part of a group, get in touch with CCEN (info@ccen.ie) or any other PPN member groups and join them in their work with the PPN.

Join Carlow PPN

Leitrim

Meet environmental groups such as Good Energies Alliance, Love Leitrim, The Organic Centre, Drumshanbo Sustainable Energy Community, and more!

Join one of these groups as an individual to get involved in your PPN, or add you group to the Network below.

Join Leitrim PPN

Sligo

Waterford PPN includes groups such as Sligo Environmental Network, Bird Watch Ireland Sligo Branch, Sligo Cycling Campaign, Walking Matters, and more!

Add your group to the PPN and join them in being a voice for the environment in Sligo.

Join Sligo PPN

Podcast – transforming the treadmill: work in a post-growth economy

Caroline Whyte spoke with Katy Wiese, the Policy Manager for Economic Transition and Gender Equality at the European Environmental Bureau, and Jan Mayrhofer, the Policy and Advocacy Manager for Sustainability at the European Youth Forum. They discussed the recommendations in Katy and Jan's co-authored report ‘Escaping the Jobs and Growth Treadmill,’ their impressions of the European Parliament’s recent Beyond Growth conference – including Katy’s experience on a panel discussing shorter working hours – and some potential next steps at the EU level to help achieve a post-growth, wellbeing-oriented European economy.

Listen here

Changing economic narrative: the Cultural Creative project

Feasta is one of the core members of the Wellbeing Economy Ireland Hub, an all-island initiative whose other members include Cultivate, Social Justice Ireland, the Derry Playhouse, the Queens University School of Law and the European Health Futures Forum.

The Ireland Hub is working to shift popular narratives about the purpose of the economy, and to research and disseminate knowledge and encourage dialogue on what a ‘wellbeing economy’ would look like. It's part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll). In 2022 and 2023, with support from the Carnegie UK Foundation and the Irish Environmental Network, we've been developing a ‘Cultural Creative’ project to establish a community of practice of artists, activists and researchers.

We have online videos from a range of presentations, which you can access here.

Interactive Plastic Problems Video Workshop for Primary Schools

Calling all Primary Teachers!

Our Education Team is very excited to offer a FREE video workshop! This interactive and engaging Plastic Problems workshop is available for you to do in your own classroom, on your own schedule.

Guided by The Rediscovery Centre’s fantastic facilitators, your class will have the opportunity to explore plastics and the problems associated with them, create artwork from waste plastics, participate in engaging activities, hear about innovative STEM solutions, and learn how we can all take action.

Download now before it's taken offline!

Donegal County Council – Local Authority Climate Action Plan

Pre-Draft Consultation Open:

10^th July – 12pm18^th August 2023.

Donegal County Council propose to make a ‘Local Authority Climate Action Plan’ as provided under Section 14B of The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021.

Donegal County Council has a significant role in the delivery of climate action in County Donegal and the Act requires local authorities consult, coordinate and consider submissions made to it on the drafting of the plan.

The key thematic areas proposed for the plan are:

• Our Homes
• Our Communities & Businesses
• Transport
• Agriculture & Land Use, Land Use Change & Forestry

Submissions with respect to the Pre Draft Plan and associated reports may be made between 10^th July – 12pm 18^th August 2023:

• via the Council’s online consultation portal at https://consult.donegal.ie/ ; or
• via email to climateready@donegalcoco.ie (please insert following in ‘Subject Title’ bar: Pre-draft Consultation. 

Closing date: Oct 3rd

"The development of the Regional Water Resources Plan South East (RWRP-SE) will allow Uisce Éireann for the first time to review water supply needs collectively for the entire South East region across the spectrum of risk including quality, quantity, reliability, and sustainability. The plan will allow us to consider local options and larger regional options that can address water needs across multiple supplies."

Uisce Éireann is now seeking feedback through public consultation on the draft RWRP-South East and associated SEA Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement.

A 12-week consultation will run from the 11 July 2023 to 3 October 2023, during which time the draft RWRP South East and associated environmental reports can be viewed and downloaded from the website and at your local authority’s planning office during their normal opening hours.

Find out more here

Citizen Engagement: Government seeks views from local communities in Ireland’s South Coast to decide locations for future offshore wind developments

Closing date: Sept 26th @ 5.30pm

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has launched a public information and engagement period and is seeking the views of coastal communities and impacted stakeholders in counties Wexford, Waterford and Cork, regarding future deployment of offshore wind off the South Coast of Ireland.

The South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) Proposal, published in July, puts forward an initial 'proposed' geographical area within which future offshore renewable energy development may take place. The geographical area of this initial proposal is approximately 8,600 square kilometres in size, extending from the High Water Mark on Ireland’s south coast to the 80-metre depth contour and/or the edge of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Read more and have your say here

Cuppa for Climate

In aid of Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth is inviting people to bring a Cuppa for Climate to their communities!

It's a coffee morning with a difference - in aid of Friends of the Earth's work on climate and to help engage and mobilise communities into local climate action together and explore positive changes in a friendly and informal way. No need to be a climate expert to take part. You can host a Cuppa for Climate in your workplace, local community space or your home. You can even combine it with a fun activity, like a clothes swap or a hike!

To find out more and receive the toolkit to help you organise and run your Cuppa for Climate, visit the website here. See the Friends of the Earth Ireland's social media pages for recent examples of Cuppa for Climate.

Bat Conservation Ireland is looking for a suitable person with financial expertise to join the governing Council. This is a voluntary position and the appropriate person would be involved in reviewing annual budgets, quarterly accounts, project budgets (if required) and being part of the annual audit process, in an oversight capacity. Learn more here.

The Rediscovery Centre is currently hiring a Tour Guide & Visitor Engagement Officer.

More details on each position available here.

Good Energies Alliance Ireland is hiring! We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and energetic team player with excellent leadership skills and management experience.

We are looking for an Operations Manager who will manage the transition of GEAI to a Change Agency while sustaining and building on the successes of its existing active projects, focusing on Climate Action and Biodiversity, renewable energy use and community development.

The position will include leading a team of Volunteers in the design and delivery of such projects. The position will initially be for nine months, 3.5 days per week (24.5 hours per week), based in Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim. Salary up to €42,000 per annum pro rata (€29,400 effectively).

Please submit CV and cover letter to goodenergiesalliance@gmail.com.

Deadline for applications: Monday 14th August.

More details available here.