Dub l i n C i t y: Wi l d a t He a r tCad is Bithéagsúlacht ann?Ciallaíonn bithéagsúlacht éagsúlacht beatha, is é sin an réimse leathan sin de nithebeo atá sa domhan. Ina measc tá plandaí agus ainmhithe tearca na tíre i ngachsaghas timpeallachta, idir chathracha agus bhailte. Cuimsíonn an bhithéagsúlachtna slite a mbíonn plandaí agus ainmhithe ag idirghníomhú lena chéile agus leis antimpeallacht áitiúil agus na dóigheanna a mbíonn siad ag brath ar a chéile agus aran timpeallacht sin. Cuimsíonn sí fosta na próisis nádúrtha atá riachtanach chun gogcuirfidh speicis plandaí agus ainmhithe fúthu agus go méadóidh a líon in aon áit.Tá go leor bithéagsúlachta i mBaile Átha Cliath, bímis ag forcamás air!

Ní minic a bhíonn an fiadhúlra le feiceáil sa chathair ach b’furasta duit go leor riantaagus comharthaí a nochtadh! Áitríonn na sionnaigh i ngarraithe na cathrach; nahialtóga faoi dhroichid agus in áiléir; na feithidí a mhaireann ar na bláthannaplandaithe agus ar na ciseáin ar crochadh; na héin a áitríonn sna páirceanna agusgarraíthe againn gan trácht ar an bhfabhcún gorm a dhéanann a nead ar bharrfoirgneamh ard! Is éasca plandaí a aimsiú cibé áit in áit uirbeach –féach fiú anplanda Roicéid ag fás gan dua ag bun na mballaí i gCathair Bhaile Átha Cliath í féin!

Conas is Féidir Cabhrú?1) Ná scar le do chuid crann agus fálta. Is é an rud is simplí éasca le déanamh! Máséigean duit iad a ghearradh siar, fan go gcleití na héanáin agus go n-eitlí siad as naneadacha ag deireadh an tsamhraidh. Tugann na crainn agus na fálta (gan a bheithlomtha) scáth slán do na sceiteoga.

2) Coimead go nádurtha é. Ná spréigh luibhaicídí de bharr an damáiste adhéanann siad ar na fiabhláthanna, plandaí a choinníonn an féileacán, agus larbhaían leamhain, beo. Déan ionad ar leith do na plandaí dúchasacha sa gharraí faoichoinne chumhdach an fhiadhúlra agus an bia a chruthaíonn. Cuir bláthanna agustoim. Tugann siad neart neachtair agus caor, bianna a alpann na héin agus nafeithidí, cuir i gcás, sceacha geala, oragáin, samhaircíní, gleoráin, agus labhandar.Déan an phlandáil ina codanna anseo is ansiúd. Is fearr iad a chur le súil chun anspeiceas, an airde, an struchtúr, agus an tiús a éagsúlú.

3) Déan lochán nó linn sa ghairdín nó go simplí tóg éanfholcadán. Baineann nafeithidí leas as uisce chun feithidíní a chruthú. Itheann na hialtóga na feithidíní athagann amach as an uisce. Lena chois sin tumann na héin san fholcadán agusólann siad an t-uisce ann.

4) Faigh troscán faoi choinne na n-ainmhithe! Déan carn de lomáin i gcoirnéal denghairdín faoi choinne na ngráinneog. Cuir boscaí éan is ialtóg in airde ar bhalla an tí(gar do na hurlaí). Má bhíonn an t-ádh leat gheobhaidh tú cuairteoirí! Chomh maithleis sin, ná failligh ar na héanbhiathóirí agus ar na miasa lán d’uisce a chur amach sagheimhreadh.

What’s so good about biodiversity?Biodiversity (short for biological diversity), means the variety of life; the wide rangeof living things in the world. It includes all kinds of plants and animals in all kindsof environments, including towns and cities. Biodiversity includes the interactionsand inter-dependency that living things have on each other and on their habitat. Italso includes the natural processes that are needed to establish or developpopulations of plants and animals. There is lots of biodiversity in Dublin City, wejust have to go out and look for it!

It’s often hard to see wildlife in the city but you can soon learn how to look out fortell-tale tracks and signs! Foxes live in city gardens, bats live in attics and in stonebridges over water, insects feed off garden flowers and hanging baskets, birds livein our parks and gardens; some, like the Peregrine falcon, even have nests on tallbuildings! Plants can be found anywhere and the scarce London Rocket plant lovesto grow at the base of walls in Dublin city!

What you can do to protect biodiversity in Dublin:

1) Hold onto your trees and hedges. That’s the simplest and easiest thing to do! Ifyou must prune them back, wait until after the summer months when the chickshave fledged and are out of their nests. Hedges and trees also provide ‘corridors’ inwhich shy animals can safely move or just rest for a while.

2) Keep it natural. Avoid spraying herbicide as this kills off all kinds of lovely wildflowers that butterfly and moth larvae depend on for survival. Designate a scruffynative plant zone in the garden for wildlife cover and food. Plant flowers andshrubs that produce lots of nectar and berries which birds and insects love to eate.g. hawthorn, marjoram, evening primrose, nasturtiums and lavender. Plantingthese in patches here and there is even better and having differences in plantstructure, height, density and species composition are important.

3) Create a pond or pool in your garden or even just erect a bird bath. Insectsneed water to hatch their young, bats eat the insects that come out of the waterand birds just love to bathe in the water and of course drink it too.

4) Add some animal furniture! Create a log pile in the corner of your garden forhibernating hedgehogs. Put bat and bird boxes high up on the house wall (near theeaves) and you might be lucky enough to get some new residents! And don’t forgetto put up some bird feeders and water dishes out in the winter too.

Peregrine falcon

Fabhcún gorm

Badger

Broc

Kingfisher

Cruid í n

Salmon

Bradán

Otter

Madra uisce

Godwit

Guilbneach

Minke whale

Droimeiteach beag

Fox

Sionnach

HERITAGE COUNCILwww.heritagecouncil.ieThe Heritage Council’s role is to propose policies andpriorities for the identification, protection, preservationand enhancement of the national heritage.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYwww.epa.ie/Education/Education and raising awareness are two vital ways toensure the protection of the environment for futuregenerations. The EPA’s education programmes aretargeted notably at young people for whom theenvironment is both an inheritance right and a futurechallenge. Includes resource materials.

BAT CONSERVATION IRELANDBatline: 046 9242882www.batconservationireland.ieBat Conservation Ireland is a charity dedicated to theconservation of Ireland's bats.

BIRDWATCH IRELANDwww.birdwatchireland.ieBirdWatch Ireland are the leading voluntaryorganisation in Ireland, devoted to the conservation andprotection of Ireland's wild birds and their habitats.

ENFOwww.enfo.ieENFO is a public service which provides easy accessto wide-ranging information on the environment. ENFOcollects and maintains up-to-date information on allaspects of the environment and sustainabledevelopment. It has a drop-in centre at 17 St. AndrewStreet, Dublin where anyone can use the referencelibrary or have free access to the Internet forenvironmental research.

AN TAISCE GREEN-SCHOOLSwww.antaisce.orgGreen-Schools is an international environmentaleducation programme and award scheme thatpromotes and acknowledges long-term, whole-schoolaction for the environment. For more information onGreen-Schools: www.greenschoolsireland.org

DISCOVER PRIMARY SCIENCEwww.primaryscience.ieThe programme aims to develop creativity in ourchildren, show them how important science is to oureveryday lives and more importantly how much fun itcan be!

FEASTAwww.feasta.orgFeasta aims to identify the characteristics of a trulysustainable society, articulate how the necessarytransition can be effected and promote theimplementation of the measures required for thispurpose.

GLOBAL ACTION PLAN BALLYMUNwww.globalactionplan.ieGlobal Action Plan is a network of worldwideorganisations that offer practical solutions to everydayenvironmental problems. GAP Ireland works with localresidents enabling positive behavioural change towardimproving the local environment.

VOICEwww.voice.buz.orgVOICE promotes a respectful relationship with theEarth and positive solutions to environmentaldestruction. In co-operation with local, national andinternational organisations we work to increaseenvironmental awareness through education.

NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICEwww.npws.ie & www.environ.ieThe main role of National Parks and Wildlife Service isto secure the conservation of a representative range ofecosystems and maintain and enhance populations offlora and fauna in Ireland. It also implements theWildlife Act, 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000,and the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive andBirds Directive. It designates and protects SpecialAreas of Conservation (SACs), Special ProtectionAreas (SPAs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). Italso manages, maintains and develops National Parksand Reserves.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND – NATURALHISTORYwww.museum.ie/naturalhistory/The museum has extensive displays of Irish and worldzoology. The Natural History Museum’s exhibitions area remarkable resource for teaching and learning,particularly in zoology – the study of animals, but alsoin issues about environment and conservation.

THE DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUBwww.dnfc.netThe Dublin Naturalists' Field Club promotes an interestin all branches of natural history. The Field clubactivities are educational and provide opportunities forpeople to share their interests in, and learn about thenatural history of our environment.

PHOENIX PARK / Office of Public Works / Dept. ofthe Environment, Heritage & Local Governmentwww.heritageireland.ieThe Phoenix Park is one of the largest and mostmagnificent city parks in Europe. An exhibition on thehistory and wildlife of the Phoenix Park is on display inthe Visitor Centre.

WATERWAYS IRELANDwww.waterwaysireland.orgWaterways Ireland is the guardian of Ireland's inlandnavigations including the Royal and Grand canals.

AIRFIELD TRUSTwww.airfield.ieDublin’s only urban farm amid an oasis of ornategardens and stunning grounds, complimented by arestaurant, and extensive cultural / educationalprogrammes.

IRISH WILDLIFE TRUSTwww.iwt.ieWorking & Educating To Conserve Ireland's Wildlife &Habitats

SOMETHINGFISHYwww.somethingfishy.ieSomethingfishy.ie is a web resource collaborationbetween the Central Fisheries Board, BlackrockTraining Centre and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art,Design and Technology which explores water, the life itsupports and its importance to us.

COILLTEwww.coillte.ie/environment/learn_about_trees/Information for different primary school classes ontrees, their structure, their place in the web of life etc.

BLACKROCK EDUCATION CENTREwww.blackrockec.ieProvides support for teachers and others involved ineducation

DRUMCONDRA EDUCATION CENTREwww.ecdrumcondra.ie/To empower the school community, to enhancelearning in, and for, a changing world.Resources, programmes and information for teachers.The purpose of the PCSP is to mediate the PrimarySchool Curriculum for teachers towards enabling themto implement it in their schools. This website aims toinform teachers, parents and management of theworkings and structures of the Support Programmethroughout the implementation period and beyond.

COASTWATCH EUROPE NETWORKwww.coastwatch.orgCoastwatch Europe is an international network ofenvironmental groups, universities and othereducational establishments, who in turn work with localgroups and individuals around the coast of Europe.

PRIMARY CURRICULUM SUPPORT PROGRAMMEwww.PCSP.ieThe purpose of the PCSP is to mediate the PrimarySchool Curriculum for teachers towards enabling themto implement it in their schools. The website aims toinform teachers, parents and management of theworkings and structures of the Support Programme.

ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS'/EDUCATIONCENTRES IN IRELANDwww.ATECI.ieThe principal activity of Education Centres is toorganise the local delivery of national programmes ofteacher professional development on behalf of theDepartment of Education and Science.

TEACHNET IRELANDwww.teachnet.ieTeachNet Ireland seeks to improve student learning byhelping primary and post primary teachers to integrateweb-based resources into their instructional practice.

IRISH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONwww.ISTA.ieThe ISTA is the Subject Association for teachers ofScience in the Republic of Ireland.

IRISH SEEDSAVERS ASSOCIATIONwww.irishseedsavers.ie The ISSA is a voluntary organisation dedicated to thelocation and preservation of traditional varieties of fruitand vegetables. The Association maintains a seed bankwhich distributes seed of these non-commerciallyavailable vegetables and heritage potatoes. We passthem on to members so that they can learn to savethem and in this way ensure a living agricultural legacy.

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS IRELAND (CVI)www.cvi.ieConservation Volunteers Ireland (CVI) aims to providepractical opportunities for groups and individuals toprotect and enhance our natural and cultural heritagethrough projects, training courses and educationalinitiatives.

CRANNwww.crann.ieCrann is a voluntary, non-profit organisation (NGO)dedicated to planting trees and protecting Ireland'swoodlands.

TREE COUNCIL OF IRELANDwww.treecouncil.ieThe Tree Council of Ireland is a voluntary organisationwhich was formed to promote the planting, care andconservation of trees in both urban and rural areas.

SCOILNETwww.scoilnet.ieScoilnet is the official education portal of theDepartment of Education and Science (DES) in Ireland.Resources referenced from Scoilnet mainly compriselesson plans, interactive and printable worksheets,notes and multimedia content.

IRISH SEAL SANCTUARYwww.irishsealsanctuary.ieTo provide shelter, treatment and rehabilitation forrescued marine wildlife found in difficulty aroundIreland’s coast.

DUBLIN ZOOwww.dublinzoo.ieDublin Zoo is part of a worldwide network of zoosworking together to breed endangered species.

CENTRAL FISHERIES BOARDwww.cfb.ieThere are seven Regional Fisheries Boards. Thesestatutory bodies are responsible for maintaining andimproving environmental quality and developing andprotecting the fisheries resource in their region

ROLLS-ROYCE SCIENCE PRIZEwww.science.rolls.royce.comThe Rolls-Royce Science Prize is open to all teachersof science from all schools and colleges in the UK andRepublic of Ireland in three age categories: 3-11, 11-16and 16-19. Every year £120,000 worth of cash prizes isgiven for investment in science education in schools.

ECOUNSECOwww.ecounesco.ieECO UNESCO is Ireland's Environmental Educationand Youth Organisation. ECO UNESCO is affiliated tothe World Federation of UNESCO clubs, centres andassociations (WFUCA)

GENETIC HERITAGE IRELAND (Irish Genetic Resources Conservation Trust)www.tcd.ie/Botany/GHIGenetic Heritage Ireland is a non-governmentalorganisation whose main objective is to promote theconservation and sustainable utilisation of Ireland'splant and animal genetic resources.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IRELANDwww.sei.ieSustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is Ireland’s nationalenergy agency. Their mission is to promote and assistthe development of sustainable energy in Ireland.

AGRIAWAREwww.agriaware.ieAgriaware aims to promote greater awareness amongthe non-farming community of modern agriculture, therural environment, animal welfare and food safety; andto heighten farmer awareness of the importance of bestfarming practice in these areas.

RARINGTOGROWwww.raringtogrow.comThe main aims of this site is to encourage children tobecome involved in 'growing' and 'gardening', which willhopefully lead to a greater understanding andappreciation of the environment.

IRISH WHALE AND DOLPHIN GROUPwww.iwdg.ieDedicated to the conservation and better understandingof cetaceans (Whales, dolphins andporpoise) in Irish Waters.

BULL ISLAND INTERPRETIVE CENTREDCC Parks and landscape ServicesTel: 2222222The North Bull Island Nature Reserve is a sandy islandin the northern part of Dublin Bay. Over 40,000 ducks,geese and wading birds come from colder countries tospend winter on the island. The Bull Island InformationCentre has seawater tanks and information displays forvisitors. It also hosts talks and slide shows for schoolsand other interested groups.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROMDUBLIN CITY COUNCIL INCLUDE:Biodiversity OfficerHeritage OfficerExecutive Environmental Science Officers Dublin City Council Libraries City Classmate magazine

Visit:

www.dublincity.ie

W I LD LI F E R ESOU RC ES FOR SC H OOLS I N D U B LI N C I T Y

MINKEWHALEScan be seen

in outer Dublin

Bay. Bring binoculars

down to the south Bull Wall lighthouse and look out for them,

along with harbour porpoise and seals.

BATSfeed on

insects and

commute

along lines of

vegetation. They

roost in buildings and in the cracks and crevices of bridges

and mature trees in the city. Why don’t you install a bat box

under the eaves of your house?

MOTHS,BUTTERFLIES, and other insects are important for pollinating flowering plants

and are an important food sources for bats, birds and fish.

They use shrubs and plants like marigolds, nettles,

wallflowers and lavender in private gardens and in the city's

green spaces as feeding and hatching areas. Insects provide a

rich food base for other animals and are more plentiful when

water is also available.

KINGFISHERShave favourite perches and fishing areas along rivers like the

Dodder. Look out for them perched on overhanging willow

branches, or darting up or down waterways to their next

favourite place.

OTTERSuse the

city's rivers

and canals

for feeding and

transport. They feed

on fish and hide in riverbank vegetation. Sometimes they can

be seen in the Liffey at Chapelizod – watch out for webbed

tracks in the mud.

GODWITSare long-

billed, long-

legged migratory

wading birds. In

winter, they come to north and south Dublin Bay with

thousands of other waterbirds to feed on molluscs, worms and

aquatic insects in the mudflats before returning further north

again to breed.

The city

supports

BADGERfamilies in

many of its green

spaces and gardens.

Badgers leave their setts (complex underground tunnels and

channels) at night to forage for food – worms, slugs, snails

and berries. They will eat the slugs in your garden!

PEREGRINE FALCONSnest on some of the city centre'staller buildings. They also havefavourite feeding perches in thecity where they eat their prey.Look out for them darting after

pigeons between buildings.

FOXES are found throughoutthe city but usually only come outat night from the cover of shrubsin gardens and parks. They usethe bushes at the bottom of yourgarden to sleep.

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATIONS. ILLUSTRATIONS: ARAN McMAHON

SALMONreturn fromthe sea andtravel up the riverLiffey every year tospawn up-stream in the Wicklow mountains. Their young inturn swim back through the city on their way out to sea. Youcan sometimes see them jumping up the weirs.