This article is from page 34 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
TO celebrate National Biodiversity Week, Coole Park in Gort will next week host a number of events de- signed to promote the diverse ani- mal, plant and habitats that exist in the Burren area.
Events begin this Sunday, May 18, with the Coole Park Family Day. The day’s festivities, which will run from 2pm to 5pm, will include storytell- ing, nature based games and activi- ties for children and the chance to discover what lives and grows along the woodland in the Biodiversity sheik
The following Saturday, May 25 from 7.30 to 10.30pm, environmen-
talist and artist Gordon D’Arcy will be joined by the Galway Bat Group for the Evening Bird Chorus and Bat Walk.
On Sunday May 25 a guided Tree Walk at 3pm will offer people the chance to learn more about the story of the trees at Coole Park.
“Biodiversity includes all living things – everything from micro- organisms to whales, bugs, birds, plants, animals, people and _ their habitats,” said a spokesperson from Coole Park.
“It is vital that we protect and pre- serve as much of the delicate balance of nature as we can.
“The variety of living things 1s enormous, and we all depend on each
other for survival.”
Meanwhile, a number of other events will take place in Clare to cel- ebrate Biodiversity Week.
On Thursday May 22, Clare Bat Group will host a bat walk and talk at the Burren College of Art in Bal- lyvaughan.
CELT have also organised evening walks on May 20 and 22 with guide Andrew St Ledger of the Woodland League.
On Tuesday May 20, at 6.45pm, a walk will leave from Tuamgraney Heritage Centre.
It will take in the Raheen Ancient Oak Wood and the ‘Brian Boru Oak’ which is said to be more than 1000 years old.
Then on Thursday May 22, also at 6.45pm, a walk will leave from Flagmount shop before taking in the Cahermurphy Oak Wood Nature Reserve. Both walk are free to the public.
All activities at Coole Park are free of charge and organised by National Parks and Wildlife Service and Peo- ple and Nature – the Galway Biod1- versity Project.
Coole Park is managed by the Na- tional Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
For more information contact Coole Park at 091 631804, e-mail info@coolepark.ie or check out www.coolepark.ie