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Hi IEN,
Welcome to the July edition of Connecting Nationwide, our monthly newsletter full of environmental news and events throughout Ireland.
Among the events, resources and jobs of this months newsletter, I'd like to highlight the final opportunity to help support the Nature Restoration Law. The next vote at EU level is Wednesday 12th July.
This Law proposes to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and repair all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This will be the first European-wide law to set legally binding targets to #RestoreNature! It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reverse the biodiversity and climate crises by placing the EU’s degraded nature on a path to recovery.
The proposal is the first major EU biodiversity law since the Habitats Directive in 1992 and follows the commitments made by the European Commission in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 which calls for the recovery of high-quality and resilient ecosystems in the EU.
We need Irish MEPs to support this at next weeks vote, and to know that it is something that the Irish people want to see. See below for how to take action.
Also, in our resources section is a brilliant webinar recording that explains more about Ireland's types of peatland soil, and what is meant by 're-wetting' peatland.
There is lots of other news, events and resources in this months newsletter too. See the Contents list and the Quick Guide to Events for an overview.
All the best,
Catherine.
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Contents
National Events
- Biodiversity Photographer of the Year exhibition
- Implementing the Hedge Code
- Bat Survey Training
- Wildlife Crime and Conservation Conference
News and Announcements
- Restore Nature Law - how to take action for the final vote
- Ireland’s Circular Material Use Rate
- Public Participation Networks: Local Change for Global Impact - Dublin City, Tipperary, Waterford
Resources
- The Science on Raising the Water Table (re-wetting) Agricultural Peat Soils - video
Consultations and Surveys
- Public Consultation on Disposable Vaping Devices
- National Bin Recyling Survey
- How well do you know Ireland's seas?
Jobs
- Bat Conservation Ireland
- Rediscovery Centre
- The Organic Centre
- Eco-Unesco
- Global Action Plan
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- Find out more about IEN member groups
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Quick Guide to Events
July
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1st: Exhibition opening for the Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition - Rediscvoery Centre, Ballymun, Dublin.
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10th @ 7pm: Implementing the Hedge Code - online
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14th, 17th, 20th, 22nd: Bat Survey Training - online
Sept
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30th Sept - Oct 1st: Wildlife Crime and Conservation Conference - Glen of the Down, Wicklow.
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Biodiversity Photographer of the Year Exhibition
Open July 1st - 31st
Rediscovery Centre, Dublin
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Visit the Rediscovery Centre during the month of July to see the exhibition of this years finalists for the Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition.
This years shortlist included tense action shots, breathtaking underwater scenes, and beautiful close ups of wildlife, and gives a snapshot of the biodiversity that exists in Ireland.
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Implementing the Hedge Code webinar
10 July, 7-8pm, Online
From Hedgerows Ireland
During our 'Implementing the Hedge Code' webinar we will use a case study from one of our Hedge Code supporters to show you how to map your hedgerows, plan your actions, and get started on implementing them.
Register now
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Bat Survey Training
July 14, 17, 20, or 22, Online
With Bat Conservation Ireland
Interested in learning about bats on your local river of canal? Want to learn how to use a bat detector?
Volunteers required to survey 1km stretch of rivers and canals during the month of August at dusk.
If you are interested please email Tina at: [email protected].
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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.
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#RestoreNature
Final push needed for Nature Restoration Law
Do you want to see nature restored in Ireland and Europe? The European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg next week and we anticipate that the plenary vote on the Nature Restoration Law will happen on Wednesday 12th.
We need our MEPs to support this law, as the vote so far has been a close one! Every email to your MEPs is important! Let them know that all eyes are on them to Restore Nature!
We have a #RestoreNature Web tool to aid you in lobbing Irish MEPs. Almost one million EU citizens have used the tool to date and we have been told that Ireland ranks 4th per capita in engagements. We are just behind Luxembourg and we can overtake them if we have a final big push.
Please email your MEPs today.
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Ireland’s Circular Material Use Rate
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new research project on Ireland’s Circular Material Use Rate (CMUR), funded by the EPA. This project will be led by The Rediscovery Centre’s Research Team with Circle Economy and the Clean Technology Centre (Munster Technical University).
Visit our blog to find out more.
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Public Participation Networks
Local Change for Global Impact
Are you involved with a local group that focuses on issues of climate, environment, biodiversity or sustainability? Would you like to make change in your area, meet other local groups, and hear local news and funding opportunities?
Join your Public Participation Network for all this and more! The PPNs support local groups to shape better decision-making in communities by connecting them with their local authority. They are powerful change making tools, and need groups who can be a voice for the local environment.
Find your local PPN here.
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Dublin City
Environmental groups in Dublin City PPN include Urban Hedgerow, Clean Coasts, Dublin Commutor Coalition, At. Annes Allotment, VOICE, Rediscovery Centre, Phoenix Forest School, and more!
Your group can join the PPN, to meet and work together with these groups for local change and information sharing!
Join Dublin City PPN
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Tipperary
Meet environmental groups such as Cabragh Wetlands Trust, Zero Waste Cashel, Clonmel Applefest, Energy Communities Co-operative, Tipperary Beekeepers Associations, Cultivate, 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 Tipperary PPN
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Waterford
Waterford PPN includes groups such as Fenor Bog Group, Copper Coast Geopark, Irish Wildlife Trust, Native Woodland Trust, Southe East Energy Agency, and more!
Add your group to the PPN and join them in being a voice for the environment in Waterford.
Join Waterford PPN
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The Science on Raising the Water Table (rewetting) Agricultural Peat Soils
On 19th June 2023, BirdWatch Ireland hosted an online presentation by Dr. Flo Renou Wilson, peatland expert from University College Dublin. Participants included members of different organisations from Ireland and Europe, farmers, a journalist and more. The goal of the presentation and gathering was to raise awareness of the science around emissions from grasslands on peat soils, understanding what we know and what we don’t know, and raising the water table to mitigate those emissions.
Watch the full video here
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Public consultation on Disposable Vaping Devices | |
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Submissions close 27th July 2023
The Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, invites the public to participate in the following consultation. Feedback will help to inform Ireland’s policy response to dealing with waste disposable vaping devices.
Disposable vapes present several challenges to our current waste collection and recycling system, including:
- where lithium-ion batteries are contained in waste devices, these can present a risk to the health and safety of waste collection workers and others. When damaged, short-circuited or overheated, these batteries can catch fire
- the use of critical raw materials and plastic in a disposable product is wasteful
- the negative environmental impact of these devices especially where they are not disposed of in a responsible manner
Have your say here
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National Recycling Bin Survey
VOICE Ireland announce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing packaging waste in Irish households.
The objective of the National Recycling Bin Survey is to empower communities to exert pressure on industries and decision-makers, ensuring a shift towards a more sustainable future. We are seeking individuals like you, the recycling bin champions of Ireland, who are fed up with the excessive waste entering their homes. Your active participation in this unique project will contribute significantly to the circular economy.
Running throughout the months of July and August, the survey provides flexibility, allowing participants to choose a two-week timeframe that suits their schedule. All you need to do is continue recycling as usual, ensuring that clean, loose, and dry materials are placed in your bin.
Find out how to take part here
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How Well Do You Know Ireland's Seas?
Online Survey to inform future plans
Nationwide survey launched to test our ‘ocean literacy’ and inform plans for the future. ‘How well do you know Ireland’s seas?‘
Fair Seas has launched its first Ocean Literacy Survey, to find out how well people in Ireland know the waters around us and how they use them. The coalition of leading environmental non-governmental organisations and networks has launched the ambitious research online and is asking people from all sectors to share their views.
Ocean literacy is the understanding of our individual and collective impact on the ocean and its impact on our lives and wellbeing.
Fair Seas is asking people to complete an online survey, answering questions about the health of Ireland’s marine environment, how they use the seas and what actions they believe the Irish government needs to be taking to manage this environment.
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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.
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The Organic Centre invites applicants for the post of General Manager at its location in Rossinver, Co. Leitrim. Responsible for the day-to-day workings of the Centre, motivation and direction of staff and volunteers, and working to ensure the financial and commercial viability and sustainability of the Centre.
Job description and application form can be had by sending an email to [email protected]
Closing date 22nd July. More info here.
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Eco Unesco is hiring a Program Coordinator Young Environmentalist Awards.
Full info here
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Eco Unesco is hiring a Education Programme and Sales Coordinator.
Closing date July 14th.
Full info here
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Global Action Plan is looking for an Education Officer to help us complement our team.
Closing date July 7th
Full info here
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Find out more about the work of IEN members
The Irish Environmental Network has 34 nationally active members, who work on a wide variety of environmental, biodiversity and sustainability issues.
You can read more about their work, get involved, or sign up to their newsletters to hear directly from them on their websites.
See all members here
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