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Ireland to Participate in United Nations Celebration of Biodiversity

20/05/09

Minister Gormley welcomes announcement of events for National Biodiversity Week


Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley, T.D., today welcomed the programme of events for National Biodiversity Week which will take place from 17 to 24 May 2009.

The Minister announced that National Biodiversity Week was being organised to celebrate United Nations International Day for Biodiversity on 22 May 2009.  National Biodiversity Week is Ireland’s contribution to a global celebration to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity.  

“This is the third year that my Department has supported National Biodiversity Week. The events planned will play a very important role in increasing awareness of the benefits of protecting our biodiversity.  Biodiversity is all around us: not just in wild places and nature reserves but also in our towns, our farmland and our countryside.    We are an integral part of this biodiversity and exert a major influence over it.   Loss of biodiversity has potentially devastating impacts on our environment, health and economy. This week provides us with a great opportunity to find out how we as individuals and as communities can help to ensure the survival of our natural heritage for future generations”.

The Minister pointed out that National Biodiversity Week was being organised in a partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the local authorities and a wide range of environmental organisations.   Events will take place nationwide from 17-24 May in a range of locations including the National Parks and Nature Reserves.  The events include biodiversity fairs, nature walks, traditional crafts, music, storytelling, bat walks, public lectures as well of plenty of other activities for all age groups and interests. 

He welcomed the efforts of all those involved in the organisation of the events and encouraged individuals, families and communities to take this opportunity to participate in events and activities organised nationwide.

For details of events taking place in your area, please visit the Notice Nature website, www.noticenature.ie, which is the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s public awareness website on biodiversity.

ENDS


AN TSEACHTAIN NáISIúNTA BITHéAGSULACHT
17 – 24 BEALTAINE 2009

Tá an 22 Bealtaine ainmnithe ag na Náisiúin Aontaithe ina Lá Idirnáisíunta  um an Éagsúlacht Bhitheolaíochta. D’fhonn an lá sin a aithint, tá ceiliúradh seachtaine ar bhithéagsúlacht an hÉireann eagraithe ag an Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil i gcomhar le raon NGOnna comhshaoil lena n-áirítear an Taisce, Iontaobhas Fiadhúlra na hÉireann agus Faire Cósta na hÉireann.

Beidh imeachtaí ar siúl go náisiúnta ón 17 go dtí an -24 Bealtaine in áiteanna difriúla cosúil le Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Anaclanna Nádúir. I measc na n-imeachtaí a bheidh ar siúl beidh aonaigh bhithéagsúlachta, siúlóidí dúlra, ceirdeanna traidisiúnta, ceol, scéalaíocht, siúlóidí faire ialtóga leathair, léachtaí poiblí mar aon le go leor imeachtaí eile do gach aoisghrúpa agus do gach díol spéise.

Is féidir tuilleadh eolais ar na himeachtaí ar fad a fháil mar aon le breis eolais ar bhithéagsúlacht na hÉireann agus ar a cosaint sin ach féachaint ar www.noticenature.ie.

Cioch

Fiosrúcháin ó na meáin:
An Oifig Preasa agus Eolais
Teil.: (01) 888 2638  (líne dhíreach)
(01) 888 2000
Ríomhphost: press-office@environ.irlgov.ie
Láithreán gréasáin: www.environ.ie

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