Today, May 20th, is World Bee Day and, in conjunction with Biodiversity Week and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Irish Examiner has published a booklet entitled Working Together for Biodiversity.
The booklet, which is free today with the Irish Examiner newspaper, aims to raise awareness about the incredibly important role that bees play as pollinators, as well as the alarming decline in bee numbers across Ireland and the world.
Believe it or not, wild bees are actually facing extinction and even our beloved bumblebees are in danger. It is essential that society reverses this worrying trend because bees are vital to agriculture, plant life and biodiversity. The problem is so serious that scientists both nationally and internationally are calling on individuals, businesses and governments to take action as a matter of urgency.
Positively, two Irish scientists have already begun to work to fight against this grave situation. In 2015, Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick from the National Biodiversity Centre and Professor Jane Stout from Trinity College Dublin, developed the All Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) and it is already helping to reverse the decline in Ireland. The aim of the AIPP is to encourage as much of Irish society as possible to take action to protect bees and develop habitats and food sources for them.
If you would like to know more about what you can do to help protect bees, pick up a copy of today’s Irish Examinar and the free Working Together for Biodiversity booklet.
In addition, you can find out more about the inspiring work of Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick and Professor Jane Stout tonight on TG4 at 9:00 p.m. The programme Plean Bee introduces viewers to Ireland’s honeybees, bumblebees and 77 species of solitary bees. It also showcases some of the initiatives underway across the county that are helping to save our bees. One successful initiative in Derry City has been simply to reduce grass cutting in summer months to support the growth of wild flowers.
Locally, our own Cabragh Wetlands in Thurles, provides a valuable safe haven for endangered bees, but there is so much more we can do. So why not get involved?
For more information on the All Ireland Pollinator Plan visit Pollinators.ie (click HERE). It has detailed suggestions on how every person, school, business and County Council can play their part in this most worthy of causes.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking proposals from the research community to help address climate change and other emerging and complex environmental problems. With up to €10.5 million available for new research projects, the funding will be provided under four themes: –
Addressing climate change evidence needs
Facilitating a green and circular economy
Delivering a healthy environment
Protecting and restoring our natural environment.
Ms Laura Burke, (EPA Director General) said:
“EPA-funded Research is essential to improving national understanding of our environment, the challenges it faces and responses to these challenges. The EPA Research Programme funds research that addresses knowledge gaps and provides the evidence base to inform policy as well as supporting the implementation of environmental policies in Ireland.”
The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. This Research Call highlights the importance of a clean, healthy and well-protected environment for our health, wellbeing and quality of life. It is designed to support the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland.
Dr. Alice Wemaere, (EPA Research Manager), said,
“Innovative research proposals are invited in response to 46 research topics. The new research projects are expected to start in late 2021/early 2022 and will range from 12-month to multi-annual research projects. This Research Call is competitive, and we expect to be assessing many high-quality submissions from the research community. We are delighted to be working in partnership with a number of organisations, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of Transport; the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Office of the Planning Regulator, to address key environmental challenges.”
As part of its wide range of functions the EPA manages an environmental research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision making. The EPA has been funding research in Ireland since 1994 and is currently funding more than 200 on-going research projects. Further details about the 2021 EPA Research Call are available on the EPA website.
Further information: Contact Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office: 053-91 70770(24 hours) and media@epa.ie
With this week, being Biodiversity Week (May 15th-23rd), why not take a walk, enjoy the sunshine (in the company of an umbrella) and take some time to make the acquaintance of the rich variety of garden birds that visit our garden’s and hedgerows daily.
Today, The Irish Times, in association with BirdWatch Ireland, are giving away a magnificent glossy poster featuring Ireland’s twenty most common garden birds, including robins, thrushes, different types of crows, tits and finches; all contained in today’s newspaper.
The poster is illustrated by Mike Langman, with expert notes by Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland. The poster is double-sided and content appears in both the English and Irish language. It’s an excellent reference and a great resource for adults, children and classrooms alike.
In addition, and from today, an interactive page with information on the featured birds and an audio of each bird’s song can be found by clicking HERE.
Unemptied Litter Bins in Thurles Town Park at 5:00pm this evening. Pics G. Willoughby.
People are correctly depositing their waste, however two extra ‘daubed’ Wheelie Bins provided, lack any signage to indicate that they are there for the public to use.
The Wheelie Bins need openings cut in their lids and holes drilled in their bases to allow water to drain out. They also require signs inviting the public to use same. Consequently, these bins are presently being overlooked and remain relatively empty.
It would appear that the stainless steel bins are not being emptied on a sufficiently regular basis and certainly were not emptied before close of business this evening.
Again, sadly no bins have been provided in the area of the River Walk.
It would appear that Thurles Municipal District remains devoid of any form of real, proper administration, coming from officials.
With huge “Thank You” to Catherine Fogarty, Rona Sorrell, Una and David Crowley, Mary Joe Fanning, Eamonn Medley and Eamonn Mason and indeed all who have contributed their voluntary service to this area of Thurles.
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