This article is from page 38 of the 2007-05-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 38 JPG
CLARE Heritage Office, in associa- tion with the Notice Nature campaign and the Clare Biodiversity Group, held the first ever Clare biodiversity seminar at Clare Museum last week.
The event features discussions on a range of issues from designated sites in Clare, native trees and hedgerows, and biodiversity at a local and na- tional level.
Newly-appointed Clare Biodiver- sity Officer, John Murphy opened the seminar with an introduction to biodiversity in the county.
Following that, renowned ecologist Janice Fuller addressed those in at- tendance about ‘Buds of the Banner: A Guide to Growing Native Trees
and Shrubs in Clare’, which was recently published by Clare County Council in conjunction with Rural Resource Development.
The seminar also featured Lorraine Fitzgerald of the Notice Nature cam- paign and David Lyons, Acting Dis- trict Conservation Officer (ADCO) and ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), who will provide a presentation on the various designated biodiversity sites in Clare.
“This biodiversity event aims to outline the unique combination of wild places, beautiful scenery and all life forms that make Clare a unique county that is enriched with biodiversity,’ said Clare Biodiversity Officer, John Murphy.
“Biodiversity provides us with a ereat variety of products and serv- eLearn
“It gives us food, fuel, medicines, building materials and our beautiful countryside, landscapes and ocean. It also helps to purify our air and wa- ter, and to stabilise our soil.
“It provides for tourism and rec- reational activities, walking, cy- cling, angling, boating and bird- and whale-watching. The conservation of biodiversity is life enhancing and is of economic, cultural social and health value.”
Clare became the first county in Ireland to produce a local biodiver- sity action plan when the Clare Bio- diversity Action Plan was launched in May 2006.
Clare 1s also the first county to have a local biological records centre and has been acknowledged as the lead- ing example for biodiversity protec- tion and promotion.
“The interest in biodiversity issues has been growing steadily in County Clare over the last number of years. This is particularly evident in the amount of individuals and commu- nity groups now actively engaged in its protection and promotion,’ said Tomas Mac Conmara, the acting heritage officer with Clare County Council.
The seminar provides an oppor- tunity to discuss biodiversity on a broad level and also to disseminate awareness about issues concerning biodiversity in the county.”