Bat walks, bog talks, bees and much more at Kildare Biodiversity Week
Nuala Madigan from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre gives us the lowdown
Biodiversity is the variety of all life on earth and includes the largest tree in your local park, the blackbird in your garden, the worms in the soil, to the whales off the Irish coast.
National Biodiversity Week is all about connecting you with nature. It’s about communicating the importance of biodiversity and providing motivation to play your part in protecting it.
It’s also about entertainment! Find fun and wonder outdoors with ten days of celebration and it started yesterday, Friday May 17.
National Biodiversity Week is organised by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), with thanks to funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Events are run by IEN member groups, as well as by Heritage Officers and other local groups.
Kildare is no exception with a range of events planned by various groups in the county throughout the week. At the Bog of Allen Nature Centre (R51V293) the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) will be hosting a wildflower walk and talk to Lodge Bog today, Saturday May 18 starting at 10am.
On Monday 20 May at 11am, join the IPCC for a walk to Lullymore West Nature Reserve to explore bees and butterflies, while on Thursday 23, visit the centre and enjoy a tour exploring the biodiversity of the peat free wildlife gardens anytime between 10am-4pm.
Kildare Bat Group will be hosting two batty fun-filled evenings starting at 9.45pm in Rathmore on May 18 and then Ardclough on May 25.
Hedgerows Ireland also have two events planned with two walks organised for Celbridge on May 18 starting at 11am and 2pm.
Naas Biodiversity Group were due to host a Naas Biodiversity Bike Ride on Friday May 17, meeting at the Lakes in Naas at 7pm.
This is only a selection of events that are planned and I encourage you to find your local biodiversity week event by visiting www.biodiversityweek.ie or www.kildarecoco.ie
Don’t forget that some events may require booking in advance so to avoid disappointment check the details online.
If you would like help identifying a wildlife observation in your community you can contact me on [email protected].