Hi IEN,

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

This month sees lots of local events and updates. Our national meet up will take place also on October 15th, where we will learn all about hedgerows. A new petition has been launched to support saving Ireland's seas, and the Biodiversity Fund is now open. Lots more this month, explore below for more news, events and resources!

All the best,

Catherine.

Earth Songs – A Singing Workshop for Nature Connection & Eco-Resilience

Transition Longford - Oct 7th

Come along to this 1.5-hour long workshop and sing gorgeous harmony songs from around the world celebrating nature and inspiring eco-resilience. We will sing songs from indigenous and other cultures which remind us that we are nature and that we are deeply connected to each other and all other beings. Singing connects us to ourselves and each other and is one of the best things you can do for your wellbeing, so expect to feel uplifted yet relaxed afterwards!

All songs are easy to pick up and are taught by ear, there is no need to read music or be a good singer. This workshop is open to all adults.

Rachel Dempsey is a singer, facilitator/educator, ethnomusicologist, nature connection guide and change-maker. She runs Full Circle Change, which is a project promoting Connection, Resilience and Wisdom for the Wellbeing of People & Planet. Full Circle Change offers workshops, retreats, online courses and sessions for organisations. Rachel has been facilitating singing for wellbeing for over 20 years and travelled to many parts of the world exploring musical cultures and singing with various indigenous communities.

This is an adult only workshop. The meeting point is at the nature pond, left of the main entrance to the park. You will be met there by Rachel and one of the TL team.

Free car parking is available at the main entrance site. Please bring warm, waterproof clothing, a blanket, mat or cushion to sit on, and any drinks or snacks you feel you might need.

Paid event. Buy tickets here.

Making your home more energy efficient

West Wicklow Environmental Network - Oct 17th

You are invited by West Wicklow Environmental Network for an information evening on home energy improvements at Slí an Chroí, St Patrick’s, Highpark Upper, Kiltegan on Tuesday evening 17^th October.

The evening will start at 7pm with tea and chat.

At 7.30pm the presentations will begin. These include:

• Three short presentations on home energy upgrades
• Energy saving tips for the home
• Information on SEAI grants
• Question & answer session with speakers

If you can get there early you are welcome to join a couple of WWEN members for a walk around the beautiful grounds of St. Patrick’s, meeting at Slí an Chroí at 6pm.

For further information about WWEN activities you can check our facebook page www.facebook.com/westwicklowen or email westwicklowen@gmail.com

Rewilding Luggala Estate

Update

West Wicklow Environmental Network made a return visit to Luggala Estate, at the heart of the Wicklow Mountains in mid-September. Luggala is home to possibly the largest habitat restoration project on privately-owned land in Ireland. 

The event provided participants with an overview of the themes in the estate’s environmental management plan as well as time to appreciate this special landscape. We saw native woodland planted earlier this year to help connect two areas of existing oak woodland, we looked at the Belted Galloway cattle that have been introduced to the estate as a pilot initiative to break up stands of invasive bracken, we heard about the work being done to reduce deer numbers, admired the repaired stone walls and learned about the rotational cutting of heather to improve habitat diversity in dry heath areas. Paddy Woodworth outlined plans for a new Sanctuary in Nature and Heritage group in Wicklow, and encouraged people with a love of the outdoors to help extend a warm welcome to new communities in our county by helping out on nature and heritage excursions from direct provision centres.

Plans are currently being made for a major blanket bog restoration project at Luggala Estate, which will enable carbon capture and help protect water quality in the Avonmore catchment. As with most West Wicklow Environmental Network events, there was also time for conversations and connections between the participants. Thanks to Luggala Estate and Farm Manager Michael Keegan for facilitating our visit. Follow West Wicklow Environmental Network on Facebook, and for more information on Luggala Estate, visit https://luggala.com/

Global Action Plan is leading a new project for communities in rural areas of County Dublin

The Rediscovery Centre are delighted to announce the launch of the “Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Training for Rural Dublin” programme, delivered by Global Action Plan in partnership with ourselves, the Community Resource Network Ireland, Sustainable Energy Community Mentors and FH Wetlands Systems Ltd.

Local groups and individuals across Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin are invited to take part in a free community climate action training programme.

In a world where fear and doomsday scenarios dominate many climate change discussions, the training series aims to break down barriers, and inspire positive change. The community climate action training programme is designed to inspire individuals and community groups to discover their power to enact positive change.

Click here for dates and locations

Space Workshop for Kids

All About Hedgerows

October 15th

Join us 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, discover what makes up a hedgerow on the Hedge Walk, see a practical demonstration of hedge laying and more!

Book your tickets here

Let's Talk Science

November 11th

Let's Talk Science is back!

This year's theme is.... Exploring the Wonderful World of Science!

This family-friendly event features dynamic workshops, interactive exhibition stands, captivating demonstrations, hands-on experiments, and the latest in technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This is an all-day event that will be open to members of the public, offering engaging and innovative STEM activities suitable for all ages.

Exhibitors this year include: National Aquarium/Marine Institute - Clean Coasts - Biodiversity Ireland (NBDCI) - iCRAG (Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences) - Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO) and Water Framework Directive Office of DCC - An Taisce - The Geological Society - Airfield - Met Eireann - More to be announced

Book your tickets here

How to fund climate justice: video of the Cap and Share Climate Alliance launch.

Feasta and Equal Right are building a coalition of organizations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America that support Cap & Share to achieve a just phase-out of fossil fuels, and recently they led the launch of a new Cap & Share Climate Alliance.

You can now watch the video of this launch, which was chaired by Harjeet Singh, the head of global political strategy at the Climate Action Network, and facilitated by Mike Sandler, the coordinator of Feasta's climate group.

If you're interested in finding out more about the Cap and Share Climate Alliance and/or your organisation would like to join it, please let us know at info@feasta.org.

Watch the video here

Sign our petition, Ireland’s seas need your help

We are at a critical moment for the future of Ireland’s seas. While a recent survey showed that 98% of Irish people want more marine protected areas, the government continues to delay proposed legislation that could safeguard marine life and coastal communities.

But now is a moment of opportunity. As part of our work with Fair Seas Ireland we are pressuring the Irish Government to make the changes needed for a healthy ocean in Ireland and to enact a strong Marine Protected Area law without delay.

Add your voice to this fight here: https://only.one/act/30x30-ireland

PPN Spotlight

Cork

Environmental groups in Cork PPN include Irish Bee Conservation Project, Kindred spirits community group, Friends of the Irish Environment, Cork Environmental Forum, West Cork Doughnut Economy Network, Zero Waste Alliance Ireland, Coomhola Salmon Trust and more!

Add your group today!

Join Cork PPN

Kildare

Meet environmental groups such as Kildare Environmental Network, Zero Waste Maynooth AreaNaas Sustainable Energy Community, Irish Wool Discussion Group, Prosperous Eco Parish, Kildare Wildlife Rescue, 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 Kildare PPN

Wexford

Wexford PPN includes groups such as Coastwatch Wexford, Seal Rescue Ireland, Eniscorthy Sustainable Energy Community, Forth Mountain Walking Group, Wexford Environmental Network and more!

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

Join Wexford PPN

An Introduction to the Role of Biodiversity Officers

On Monday 2nd October we held a webinar with Paula Kearney, Galway City Biodiversity Officer. Paula gave us an introduction to the work of Biodiversity Officers, and lots of information on local biodiversity projects.

You can find the recording of the session here: https://youtu.be/3ZxUpFVGLH4?si=IlCJRF8IgU1WO-v6

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 at this link: https://www.feasta.org/category/weall-ireland-hub/

Biodiversity Fund from Community Foundation Ireland is now open for applications

There are two strands to this year’s grant round:

1- CFI are inviting community groups to apply for a grant to engage an ecologist and develop a Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) for their local area. Please find a link to the application form in our Criteria document here.

2- CFI are inviting any organisation who has a CBAP to apply for funding to implement recommendations contained in it. Please find a link to the application form in our Criteria document here.

This grant round closes on Friday 13^th October at 4pm. Please read the Criteria documents carefully before applying and check our FAQ document here. You can also access a Resource Pack here for more information on the Fund itself, along with general biodiversity tools and resources. Email info@foundation.ie if you have any queries.