Biodiversity, or Biological diversity, refers to the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the butterflies in your garden and the plants they feed from, to predatory eagles and the biggest whales in the sea. Biodiversity is also the basis of human existence, our life support system.
Biodiversity week runs from the 18th-25th May and throughout the week at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre there will be events that celebrate Ireland¹s Biodiversity.
Sunday the 18th May is International Museum Day. To celebrate, the Bog of Allen Nature Centre will be opening its doors and offering free entry into our peatland exhibition centre from 1pm - 4pm.
The exhibition centre takes in all aspects of peatlands, from their formation to traditional hand-cutting methods of turf, their archaeological importance, their conservation, commercial development and possible future options for our peatlands in Ireland. The wildlife gardens at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre and Lodge Bog will be also open for self-guiding tours.
On Tuesday 20th May Bat Conservation Ireland will be leading a bat walk from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. On Thursday 22nd the IPCC will be holding a workcamp on Lodge Bog, removing invasive tree species in preparation for this summer's drain blocking project on the site.
On Sunday 25th May there will be a Biodiversity Show at the Bog of Allen
Nature Centre . Throughout the day there will be talks, walks, demonstrations and nature activities for children.
Talks will include an introduction to Kildare's wildlife by Caroline Hurley. Guided walks on the day will include a visit to Lodge Bog and its Birch woodland led by IPCC and Crann representatives. There will be a guided tour of the Bog of Allen Nature Centre Gardens which will highlight the Irish Peatland Conservation Council's top 10 tips to becoming a greener gardener.
Nature crafts, pond dipping and frog hunts are all on the cards for the younger visitors on the day, The Biodiversity Show will be attended by a dozen organisations to promote aspects of enjoying biodiversity e.g. food, art, music, photography, live species, green schools and crafts.
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council nature shop and peatland exhibition centre will be open all day for visitors to browse through.
Buses will be organised from Jury's Hotel, Christ Church in Dublin, Devoy Park, Naas in Co. Kildare and the railway station in Tullamore in Co. Offaly, leaving at 11am to bring visitors to and from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre
on the day. Booking is essential for the buses by contacting 045-860133.
Tea and Coffee and light snacks will be available all day for event participants
and visitors.
The biodiversity show will bring together painters, photographers, musicians, basket weavers, farmers, school children and environmentalists, all inspired by wildlife to celebrate Ireland's biodiversity. Admission free.
For further information contact the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133.