Clare County Council has announced details of the first ever Kilrush Biodiversity Week taking place from Monday, 23 April to Sunday, 29 April 2012. The inaugural programme of events will celebrate the many aspects of biodiversity in Kilrush and its environs from family days out in beautiful natural amenities to information and discussions about threats to biodiversity.
The aim of Kilrush Biodiversity Week is to encourage active learning about biodiversity through a range of enjoyable events and to increase public understanding that action taken locally has national and global importance. All events are free and family-orientated.
According to Mayor of Kilrush, Councillor Ian Lynch: “Kilrush is one of the most biodiversity-rich urban areas in County Clare. The Vandeleur Gardens and woodlands, Kilrush Creek, and the wetlands of the Shannon Estuary are wonderful examples of how natural sites can exist in close proximity or within urban areas.”
Clare biodiversity officer Shane Casey comments: “Many of the events taking place during the week will be aimed at the general public with other events targeted at primary and secondary schools in Kilrush. It is also hoped that members of the public who participate in Kilrush Biodiversity Week events can be encouraged to take an interest in helping to conserve biodiversity for future generations.”
A full programme of public events will be held on the weekend of April 28-29. There will be an early start on Saturday morning with a Dawn Chorus Walk in Vandeleur Woods at 5:30 am. A Moth Exhibition and Bug Hunt for children takes place in the Vandeleur Woods from 10:00 am, followed by a composting demonstration at 1 pm and a guided tour of the beautiful Vandeleur Walled Gardens. At 2:30 pm, Kilrush Secondary School will host a Wildlife Gardening Exhibition, while the day will concluded with a late night bat walk in Vandeleur Woods at 9:30 pm.
On Sunday 29 April, the focus will turn to the Shannon Estuary when a discounted price for Dolphin Watching Boat Trips will be available to members of the public. Meanwhile, Inland Fisheries Ireland will be inviting people to enjoy the marine touch pools at Cappa Pier at 12:00 pm, and participate in a seashore walk from 4 pm to discover the abundance of nature along the estuary from seaweed to waders.