Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht welcomed the announcement of this year’s National Biodiversity Week (18 – 26 May 2013) to celebrate International Day of Biological Diversity which takes place on Wednesday, 22 May 2013.
Ireland celebrates its 7th National Biodiversity Week as part of Ireland’s contribution to a global celebration to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity.
National Biodiversity Week is being organised in partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Irish Environmental Network and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The Minister outlined his appreciation to all those involved in the organising of events across the country.
“Our biodiversity is important to each of us and the events of biodiversity week will help to raise awareness of the positive role of biodiversity in our lives” said the Minister.
The Minister went on to encourage individuals, families and communities to take the opportunity to take part in the celebration of our biodiversity by participating in the various events and activities.
Events are taking place in locations across the countries including our National Parks. Building on the success of previous years a National BioBlitz Event has been organised by National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Other events such as the ‘Annual Dawn Chorus Walk’, the ‘Native Species Weekend at Dublin Zoo’ and a ‘Biodiversity Experience’ at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre have been organised. Many more events nationwide will be scheduled shortly. For details of events taking place in your area, please visit the Notice Nature website,
http://www.noticenature.ie/ which is the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht public awareness website on biodiversity.
Environment Fund for Biodiversity Awareness Grant Scheme for 2013
The Minister is also pleased to announce the opening of the Environment Fund for Biodiversity Awareness Grant Scheme for 2013 and has invited applications for funding for projects under the Scheme.
The Grant Scheme supports initiatives and projects that enhance awareness of Irish biodiversity and its important positive impact on our society. Targeted audiences include schools, the general public, local communities, third level students, key economic sectors and scientific communities.
In inviting the applications to the Scheme Minister Deenihan said; “We interact with biodiversity all the time, but we don’t always recognise the great benefit it provides to us, nor do we realise the threats to our biodiversity today. The Biodiversity Awareness Scheme provides the opportunity to raise awareness of these issues in a creative way in communities across the country”
Full details of the Scheme including application forms are available on
www.noticenature.ie