Headford Environment Group

Sandy banks, wildflowers, birds and bees on the banks of the Corrib

Venetia McEllin

Nature Ramble 2016
Headford Environment Group
Headford Hedgehog
Headford Environment Group
Wildflower meadow
Headford Environment Group
Dawn Chorus at Greenfields
Headford Environment Group

The Headford Environment Group was formed in 2009 ‘to raise awareness of environmental issues in our community, by promoting initiatives which highlight the value of our natural and built heritage and biodiversity’.

We plan our year by pencilling in fixtures, such as – our spring and autumn talks, Litter Clean Up, Dawn Chorus, Bat Walk and whatever other events we have arranged.

Talks last year included

The Importance of Irelands Bogs – Nuala Madigan, Irish Peatland Conservation Council;

Identifying Birdsong with John Lusby, the day before the Dawn Chorus;

Kate Kelly, local author and enthusiast, on Hedgehogs and how to look after them – and

Breandan O’Scannaill on the Glory of Trees, based on his beautiful garden in Clifden.

We also held a one day Climate Change Conference in order to look at our local responses to this global problem. We were very fortunate to have some wonderful speakers, Professor John Sweeney, Anja Murray (Eco Eye) and John Gibbons. Local contributors spoke in the afternoon on ways in which they were impacting on climate change through community gardening, developing awareness of alternative energy solutions and organic farming using horses.

Our project for 2016 was managing a wildflower meadow, planted by us the previous autumn and erecting a wildflower sign. This was a continuation of our previous year’s work, developing Sandybanks Lane to become biodiversity friendly – leaving verges uncut, planting native hedging, and most importantly working with our local Community Employment Scheme.The Mens’ Shed even made a picnic bench for us!

The Climate Change Conference was funded by the Council’s Local Agenda 21 programme, and our talks, wildflower meadow and sign were funded through the Community Support Initiative.

Our plans for 2017 are to continue enhancing Sandybanks Lane for the benefit of residents and wildlife (the number of walkers has risen as people have become more interested). We are also planning a Community Orchard for the town and will be having a workshop on tree management on 4 March. This will be a space for people to maybe do a little weeding, have a stroll or sit on a bench and after a few years enjoy the fruit!

On 11March, Duncan Stewart will give a talk in the Anglers’ Rest at 2pm on creating a local sustainable energy community. This is in response to the feedback we received from the Climate Change Conference – do come along – admittance is free.

Our aim is to involve as many people as possible in our projects, come to our talks, learn a bit, give us advice and make it their group. We are a committee of six but rely on input from experts and friends alike to help us achieve our aims.

Please follow us on Facebook, where you can see our spring newsletter, email us at headfordenvironmentgrooup@hotmail.com, or text us on 087 6708123. We would love to hear from you!

This page was added on 27/02/2017.

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