Protecting our coasts: The Heritage Council has called for greater protection of Ireland's coastline and seas in a policy paper presented to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche this week. It also warned that unique maritime features such as sand dune systems, salt marshes, Martello towers and fishing villages are under threat from poor planning decisions.
"Many of our coastal towns and villages are suffering from inappropriate development that will impact negatively on our economy and environment," said Beatrice Kelly from the Heritage Council. The policy document called for a national framework to support local coastal management initiatives to protect coastal landscapes, with clear guidelines for new on-shore and off-shore developments.
Skills in the woods
The annual Summer in the Woods workshops, organised by the Centre for Environmental Living and Training, will take place in Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, Co Clare next weekend. Participants will learn about furniture-making, wood-carving, thatching and other traditional skills. The cost is €170 for three days, €120 for two days, e-mail info@celtnet.org, tel: 061-640765. Meanwhile, herbalist Judith Hoad will hold a one-day workshop on identifying wildflowers and plants on Friday, July 28th in the National Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Admission is free but booking is necessary, tel: 094-9031751.
Canada fights garden drugs
Regional authorities in parts of Canada have banned many domestic pesticides containing chemicals considered to be toxic to humans and the environment. Quebec has banned 20 of the active ingredients in lawn care products, which means 210 products must be taken off the market. Vancouver has launched the "get your yard off drugs" campaign to help residents understand a new pesticides bylaw which came into effect in January. The spin-off is that companies who manufacture and sell some of these pesticides have begun to advocate natural methods.
Spread out from the capital
Day Tours from Dublin (Gill & Macmillan, €12.99) by Michael Fewer is a new book offering locals and visitors advice on exploring the counties around the capital. There are 20 tours to choose from, including the Quaker village of Ballitore and Moone High Cross in Co Kildare; Emo Court and the historic town of Portarlington in Co Laois; and the Vale of Avoca and Avondale Forest Park in Co Wicklow. The book contains detailed directions, opening hours of places of interest and historical background. All tours are within a 1½ hour drive from the M50 roundabout on the outskirts of Dublin.
Apply and be clean
Community groups, residential associations, local authorities and anyone else keen to enhance their local environment should note that the deadline for receipt of applications for the Vodafone Conservation Volunteers Ireland Nature Fund has been extended until July 31st. Projects applying for grants must be about the natural (not the built) environment. Tel: 087-7780238 or download a form from www.cvi.ie.
