Earlier this year, in the midst of lockdown, Ireland's Wildlife Contributor Albert Nolan took his children to a river near his home to explore its hidden wildlife.We took the short trip to Toorenbrien Bridge, careful not to stray over our allotted 2km lockdown radius. Here there is a large parking space and the kids and I were going kick sampling in the river. This is … [Read more...] about The hidden life of rivers
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Book Review: The Great Big Book of Irish Wildlife Through the Seasons
When it comes to conservation there is nothing more important than reconnecting our children with the natural world around them.Young children are fascinated by living things and have an innate curiosity about the animals, plants and other organisms they share the world with. I see it all the time when I visit primary schools under Ireland's fabulous Heritage in Schools … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Great Big Book of Irish Wildlife Through the Seasons
The Wild Postcard Project: boosting awareness of Ireland’s Biodiversity
A new biodiversity art project aimed at Ireland's youth is looking to spread the word about Ireland's amazing wildlife far and wide with postcards. Founders Eileen Diskin and Angela Stevenson explain...A survey several years ago in the UK found that the general public is largely unfamiliar with the term ‘biodiversity’, with many respondents thinking it to be a type … [Read more...] about The Wild Postcard Project: boosting awareness of Ireland’s Biodiversity
New book project to help Irish children engage with wildlife
Kildare nature writer and author Juanita Brown has teamed up with Wicklow artist Aoife Quinn to create a captivating large-format picture-book that aims to help Irish children discover the wonder of our native wildlife. But she needs your help to get her project off the ground."My First Book of Irish Animals" is a picture-book designed to introduce young Irish children to … [Read more...] about New book project to help Irish children engage with wildlife
Moths: from the classroom to the garden
Regular contributor Albert Nolan introduces some school children to the wonderful world of Irish moths, and explores some of the other wildlife that makes the most of his mothing endeavours. I clasped my hands awkwardly while the students recited their morning prayers. As the words echoed around the classroom I wondered if the mysteries of religion were on a par … [Read more...] about Moths: from the classroom to the garden
West Cork school children wild about heritage visits
Pupils and staff at Scoil Náisiúnta Rae na Scríne in West Cork are getting closer to nature, taking learning out of the classroom and into the great outdoors thanks to a series of visits by Heritage Specialist Calvin Jones.The children learnt how their school garden and surrounds provide valuable habitat for local wildlife, and discovered some of the species … [Read more...] about West Cork school children wild about heritage visits
Ireland’s minibeasts star in new children’s radio show
A new radio show introducing Irish children to the wonderful world of invertebrates debuts on RTÉ Jr Radio on Saturday 08 February at 11am.Stings, Wings & Crawly Things is a 12 part series for children aged 4-7 years that explores fascinating facts about Irish insects, spiders and all manner of winged and crawly creatures. Presented by a knowledgeable ground beetle … [Read more...] about Ireland’s minibeasts star in new children’s radio show
What’s wrong with conservation?
The preservation of our wild places and the plants and animals that call them home should be high on the priority list of any responsible government. That’s partly because we have a duty of care to maintain our stunning natural heritage for future generations; but it’s more fundamental than that: looking after our biodiversity, maintaining the natural balance of our … [Read more...] about What’s wrong with conservation?