HORIZONS:A multivenue exhibition that highlights the importance of forests, and the timber they produce, in the fight against climate change was launched in Dublin this week.
The Just Forests show, which aims to help save natural resources in general in the UN-designated International Year of Forests (see Ecoweb, below), also reflects on Ireland’s flourishing trade in timber exports in the 17th and early 18th centuries – after which time Ireland became a timber-importing country. Laments for the destruction of Irish forests are recounted in Irish poetry and song. See justforests.org for venues in Dublin, Wexford and Meath from now until April.
Carlingford gears up for first 2011 birding weekend
The mudflats, wetlands and mountains around Carlingford Lough support thousands of overwintering birds that you can see just a short walk from the village. Carlingford will host its first birding weekend of the year from February 4th to 6th. It will begin with an illustrated talk by the professional guide and author Eric Dempsey, at 7pm on the Friday, with bus outings and walks in and around the lough on Saturday and Sunday; €50 for guided walks, bus trips and talks. Accommodation can be booked separately. Call 087-9145363.
Learn how to stay safe on Ireland’s mountains
Have you ever wished you were able to explore Ireland’s mountains and find your own way in all weathers? If so, the mountain-skills course offered by Mountaineering Ireland may be for you. It involves two two-day sessions, with outdoor practical exercises and indoor lectures, with a strong focus on map-reading. You can then take a mountain-skills assessment before progressing to more formal mountain-leadership training. See mountaineering.ie, call 01-6251115 or e-mail info@mountaineering.ie.
ECOWEB:
un.org/en/events/iyof2011
The website for the United Nations’ International Year of Forests has beautiful photographs and crucial facts about forests and the 1.6 billion people who depend on them.
- sthompson@irishtimes.com
