Hi IEN,

I am recently back from the national conference for the Public Participation Networks. I met lots of familiar and new faces, and caught up on what is happening in different counties. Talking to PPN staff and volunteers once again drove home to me how important meeting and connecting with people is, and the power that comes from this. There were so many examples of events being held collaboratively and projects being put in place in communities around Ireland, all because people got together and were inspired to do something. You never know what a conversation will lead to, and events where like minded people gather are the perfect opportunity to see what sparks are struck.

This month we bring you lots of events from Carlow, Dublin, Clare, Cork, Westmeath, Meath and online. Film festivals, Science Week activities, coastal events, local meetings and more are in store! Read local news form Wicklow where they were celebrating the Slaney for World Heritage Day, and Westmeath where efforts in their local GAA club are being recognised with Green Club status. Don't forget too that you can find local groups through your local environmental networks or PPNs, which you can find a list of here.

The General Election draws nearer, and it is just as important than ever to be asking your politicians about their goals for biodiversity and climate. You can read the Environmental Pillar's Manifesto and the Irish Cycling Campaign Election Asks below, and see what they are asking of the next Government.

In local Councils, you can get involved in policy creation from the ground up through the Strategic Policy Committees. Watch our webinar recording to find out how.

All this plus podcasts, stoat surveys, environmental awards, and job opportunities below!

Beir bua,

Catherine.

Celebrating the Slaney in West Wicklow

Water Heritage Day 2024

The West Wicklow Environmental Network (WWEN) and the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPro) hosted a celebration of the River Slaney in a very special river walk for Water Heritage Day, 25 August.

The River Slaney rises in Lugnaquilla in the Wicklow mountains, winding its way through the Glen of Imaal before continuing its journey towards the sea. The WWEN river walk brought together local ecologists, musicians and writers to celebrate the cultural and natural heritage of the Slaney and its importance to the lives and landscapes of West Wicklow.

LAWPro Community Water Officer for Wicklow, Justin Ivory, along with local forest school leader and biodiversity teacher Liz Tiernan of Sweet Wild Soul, led the ecology section of the Celebrating the Slaney walk, through the lands of Castleruddery Organic Farm near Donard to the banks of the Slaney at Ballyhubbock Bridge. Liz, who runs regular forest school sessions in the area, shared her passion and knowledge for local biodiversity and wildlife with WWEN members as she brought the group through the rich native woodland of Castleruddery. On the river beach by Ballyhubbock, Justin held the participants in thrall as he led them through a kick sampling session – collecting and identifying samples of invertebrates from the river to assess the river quality at that point in its passage. Writer and journalist, Paddy Woodworth framed these ecological insights of the Slaney and its surrounds in a national and international context in a thought-provoking reflection on nature, climate and restoration.

Contributions from some of the region’s most talented artists celebrated the deep relationship between people and landscape in West Wicklow. Award-winning writer Jane Clarke read two of her works, bringing listeners soaring and plunging with her poems ‘The Dipper/An Gabha Dubh’ and ‘Stepping In’, while renowned singer Bernie Pháid, originally from the West Kerry Gaeltacht, filled the Wicklow air with evocative songs as Gaeilge. Local musician Rory Adams, whose inspiration and playing is deeply rooted in the local landscape, closed the event with a moving rendition of a piece performed in the very place it was composed: in the shadow of Ballyhubbock Bridge on the banks of the Slaney.

The Celebrating the Slaney event was made possible by the generosity of Hilda Crampton and Dominic Quinn of Castleruddery Organic Farm, who opened up their land for the event. As well as growing organic vegetables on their farm, Hilda and Dominic manage their land for biodiversity, with significant areas of native woodland, ponds and wild meadow.

Videos of the event, funded under a LAWPro Heritage Week grant and produced by Greenstem films, are available at:

Celebrating the Slaney - Heritage Week 2024:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jws4cXQvcuc 

Abhainn na Sláine - Seachtain na hOidhreachta 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYu15LeD_I

Article by WWEN committee member, Míde Ní Shúilleabháin.

Westmeath Environmental & Climate Action Network (WECAN)

WECAN have sent this update about their local GAA club.

Our small, rural, county Westmeath GAA football club will next month, 9th Nov to be precise, get awarded official 'green club' status at an event in Croke Park. To let you know some of the detail of what we've done to gain this accreditation, have a look at our club website here Milltown GAA - Green Club Project

Join WECAN on their Facebook group or email westmeathen@gmail.com.

PLUS

Join WECAN and Mullingar Climate action network o November 16th for a 'green gathering' event on in Mullingar public library buildings. Details TBA. Please email westmeathen@gmail.com for more information.

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Free Repair Café

Nov 2nd - 10am

Dublin

Do you have something at home that you have been meaning to fix? Bring your broken bikes, furniture and textiles on the 2nd November 2024.

Book your place

County Carlow Environmental Network meeting

Nov 5th - 7.30pm

Carlow

Our next CCEN meeting is on Tues 5th of Nov in An Gairdin Beo, Carlow town at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome

Eco Movie Night

Nov 6th, 7pm

Carlow

County Carlow Environmental Network are at Visual Carlow.

The second film in the Eco Movie Night series is Once Upon a Forest.  



For more information and booking: visualcarlow.ie/whats-on/film

Science Week with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Nov 10th - 17th

Clare

Join us for an exciting series of events during Science Week 2024, including webinars, interactive activities, and in-person talks focused on marine research and cetacean conservation!

‘Be a Marine Biologist for a Day’ Open Days:

Sunday, November 10th | 11am - 3pm

Saturday, November 16th | 11am - 3pm

Sunday, November 17th | 11am - 3pm

📍 Shannon Dolphin Centre, Kilrush – Activities and interactive exhibits for all ages!

‘Can We Speak Whale?' Webinars on WWW.IWDG.IE:

Monday, November 11th | 6pm – Citizen Science

Tuesday, November 12th | 6pm – Research

Wednesday, November 13th | 6pm – Photo ID

Thursday, November 14th | 6pm – Acoustics

‘Can We Speak Whale?’ In-Person Event:

📅 Friday, November 15th | 7pm - 9pm

📍 Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee – Talks, panels, and Q&A sessions with marine experts.

Registration and event details will be available on www.iwdg.ie near the dates.

This event is funded by Research Ireland as part of the Science Week Discover Programme.

Read more at www.iwdg.ie/events/

HYBRID SEMINAR: "THE IRISH SEA: Ecological, Sociocultural and Economic Insights"

Nov 11th, 2 - 4pm

Dublin and Online

What is a "value" of a marine ecosystem, and what tools and approaches can be used to measure it? And how does the marine environment translate into benefits for humans?

In this seminar, researchers from Horizon-EU funded projects MARBEFES and Blue4All will discuss methods of ecological, sociocultural, and economic valuation of the Irish Sea.

VENUE – for those who wish to attend in-person: Room F106, Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8.

BY ZOOM – for those who wish to attend online: Log-on details will be issued nearer the time to those who register.

Please secure your place, either in-person or online, by booking here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-irish-sea-ecological-sociocultural-and-economic-insights-tickets-1061407090179

You can find more details here: https://www.greenfoundationireland.ie/hybrid-seminarthe-irish-seaecological-socioculturaland-economic-insights11-nov-2024/

Imagining a partnership model of management and usage for the KinShip EcoLab

Nov 15th, 9.30am - 2.30pm

Cork

RSVP by Nov 4th by emailing: kinshipassistance@gmail.com

Local Green Gathering

Nov 16th

Westmeath

Join WECAN and Mullingar Climate action network on November 16th for a Green Gathering event in Mullingar public library buildings.

Details TBA. Please email westmeathen@gmail.com for more information.

Advanced Wildlife Veterinary Treatment Course

Nov 16th and 17th

Full Day

Meath

For veterinary professionals, further your knowledge the in treatment of our native wildlife with this fantastic course coming this autumn from Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland.

Book your tickets here

Carrigacunna walk with TED COOK

Nov 17th, 12pm - 3pm

Cork

A leisurely walk with Ted Cook, Heritage & Tree specialist, incorporating many insights into "Functions and Benefits of our multi tasking Toadstools & Bract Fungi"

Meet at Car Park, Nano Nagle Birthplace, Ballygriffin, Kilavullen, Co. Cork

Book by text to Ted at 086 8789891 or Bernie at 083 1468064

Refreshments 3pm at Nano Nagle Birthplace

Coastwatch Autumn Shore Survey 2024

Launch of Marine Litter Results and Workshop

Nov 21st, 12.45pm - 3.45pm

Dublin

The autumn 2024 Coastwatch shore survey brought over 1000 citizens onto Irish shores to carry out a systematic audit of chosen sites from low tide water’s edge back to land. Results for over 500 surveyed sites will be published separately first marine litter, then biodiversity and water/pollution. The Marine litter results launch and workshop takes place on November 21st 2024 in Trinity College Dublin from 12.45 to 3.45pm. All surveyors are invited as well as relevant organisations and media.

The day includes a light lunch and music, the launch of the results with Minister Ossian Smyth, workshops, and panel discussion. See the draft agenda here.

Climate Café

Nov 21st - 7pm

Carlow

Climate Café – CCEN are planning another pop-up climate café Thursday 21st of November from 7-9pm. Venue to be decided. Check their Facebook and website for more details closer to the date. Do you have climate questions? Get informed and inspired about what you can do.

DECEMBER EVENTS

Eco Movie Night

Dec 3rd, 7pm

Carlow

County Carlow Environmental Network are at Visual Carlow.

The third film in the Eco Movie Night series is Planet Soil. 

For more information and booking: visualcarlow.ie/whats-on/film

Annual Environmental Awards 2024

Deadline for nominations: Midnight 10th November

Nominate your environmental heroes for a Forum Award! Check out the illustrious list of previous Awardees across our main categories - Individual, Business & Commercial, Private Sector & Community & Voluntary with a special Award category too for Circular Economy. There are plenty of wonderful people, groups & businesses undertaking actions or projects to care for the environment. A little recognition can be a great boost to keep going. Self nominations are also accepted.

Further details here

Nomination form here

Team Erasmus hosted by Irish Cycling Campaign!

Irish Cycling Campaign is a partner on the Erasmus+ "Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action" project. This is a three year project, with seven participating organisations from Spain, Portugal, Poland and Ireland.

In the middle of October 2024, ICC welcomed the project partners to Dublin and Wicklow for an action packed four day visit where the four big project themes were explored -- climate action, sustainable transport, social inclusion and intergenerational collaborations.

You can read all about the visit here - https://cyclist.ie/2024/10/team-erasmus-hosted-by-irish-cycling-campaign/

Making an impact in local policy creation: Introduction to Strategic Policy Committees

Participatory democracy, decentralising decision making, a voice for nature, and helping eco-systems using local knowledge and expertise. The Strategic Policy Committees have great potential for all of these outcomes. The best part is that you can get involved from your community! This method of policy creation isn't just for councillors and business, it's community led too. Find out how to use these Committees, how you can get involved, what supports are available to you in this role, and examples of what can be achieved in these committees.

Watch our webinar recording here: Watch the recording

If you want to get involved, join your Public Participation Network. Find yours here

If you have any questions about joining your Public Participation Network (PPN), or getting involved in your Strategic Policy Committees, you can email Catherine O'Toole at catherine@ien.ie, or get in touch with your PPN.

No more business as usual – it’s time to put climate, nature and fairness at the heart of Government – Environmental Pillar Manifesto

The following is an excerpt from the Environmental Pillars press release. Read the full press release and manifesto here.

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Tackling the ecological crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and ensuring a fair transition to a low-carbon economy requires nothing short of a transformation in how Government operates. The lack of a comprehensive department of the environment, which includes key functions such as water and the marine, means that environmental protection and nature restoration are not given appropriate weight in government decision-making. It is crucial that policies work in harmony, addressing inequality and poverty, protecting low-income households while advancing our long-term vision of a sustainable, biodiversity-rich Ireland.

Dr. Elaine McGoff, Environmental Pillar spokesperson says: “This is the time for all political parties to show leadership and put the environment at the centre of their priorities for Government. It is critical that the next Government is organised in a way that places environmental sustainability at the heart of its decisions. This can only be achieved through a reorganisation of departmental responsibilities to ensure a robust Department of the Environment and a Department of Climate Action.”  

“In addition”, McGoff continued “the Environmental Pillar is calling for parties to commit to a larger and better staffed NPWS and a greater focus on nature restoration and climate action in all our state bodies. This will require a reform of the legal mandates of key state agencies such as Coillte and Gas Networks Ireland, to ensure that they perform their functions in a manner consistent with legally binding carbon budgets, the land-use review and the Nature Restoration Law. State bodies are the largest landowners in the country, they should be models of best practice and manage their lands for nature restoration and climate obligations.”

Oisín Coghlan, Environmental Pillar Spokesperson says: “The scale of transformation required to meet our climate obligations may feel overwhelming, but there are concrete steps that the next Government can take which would have a real impact on emissions and at the same time would make meaningful improvements to our quality of life, ensuring that no person, regardless of their economic circumstance is left behind. Rejecting LNG, removing fossil fuel subsidies in our taxation system, providing free school bus places and retrofitting all social housing and the homes of those at-risk of energy poverty by 2030 are examples of the many ways we can reduce emissions and make Ireland a better place to live.” 

Coghlan added, “we know what needs to be done, what is missing is the political will and sense of urgency to act now and a commitment from all political parties to an Ireland free of fossil fuels.” 

The Environmental Pillar recommends that a new Government should:

• Create a dedicated full-Cabinet Department for Environment, Nature, Heritage and Natural Resources which would include all natural and built heritage functions and environmental functions, including the NPWS, the EPA and water divisions.
• Amalgamate Climate, transport and energy into one department.
• Revise the legal mandates for key state agencies and public bodies, such as Gas Networks Ireland, the CRU, Coillte, Bord Na Móna, Teagasc and ESB, to require that they perform their functions in a manner consistent with legally binding carbon budgets and the land-use review, and manage their land in line with Nature Restoration Law obligations.

The Environmental Pillar makes a series of recommendations in a number of key areas:

• Nature, biodiversity and agri-food
• Creating and Supporting Sustainable Communities
• Fair and Just Climate Action Which Delivers for People and Communities
• Clean, Renewable and Fossil-Free Energy
• A Sustainable, Circular and Low Carbon Economy

You can access the manifesto here: Environmental Pillar Manifesto 2024

Irish Cycling Campaign top election asks

With a General Election on the cusp of being called, IEN member Irish Cycling Campaign has published its top asks for all political parties.

See link https://cyclist.ie/2024/10/irish-cycling-campaign-general-election-2024-asks/.

The targeted investment we are seeking over the life-time of the next government will support healthier communities, reduce congestion, and contribute to Ireland’s climate goals.

The investment in these projects is vital to providing safe, convenient cycling options for communities across Ireland.

Podcast: Rethinking marketing

In this podcast, which is part of the 'Bridging the Gaps' podcast series co-hosted by Feasta and the European Health Future Forum, Dr Sarah Browne of Trinity Business School discusses the reasons why she has moved away from teaching 'mainstream' marketing, with its emphasis on growth-at-all-costs, on maximising consumer demand, and on targeting vulnerable consumers.

Instead, Sarah's work now explores ways in which the power of communications expertise could be harnessed in order to help overcome the pervasive assumption that zero or negative economic growth must always equal austerity and regression, and to replace this narrative with powerful, positive counter-narratives.

Sarah gave some impressions of the Rethinking Growth conference of June 2024, including the conversation session with Minister Paschal Donohoe, and also reflected on ways in which academia in general could help to bring about economic system change.

Interview with Seán Ó Conláin.

Listen here

Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey

The Irish Stoat Citizen Science Survey is in its final months, but there is still time to submit your sightings!

If you have seen an Irish stoat, alive or dead, report it via the National Biodiversity Data Centre website. With your help, we hope to learn more about these elusive animals.

https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/irish-stoat-survey/

The Environmental Forum: Finance and Administration Officer (Part Time)

Closing date for applicants: November 24th

Details: www.activelink.ie/node/111898