Tidy Towns- working with nature

Many Tidy Towns groups throughout Galway work tirelessly for the benefit of their community and the natural world. The Tidy Towns competition has evolved in recent years and much of the focus is on sustainability, protecting and enhancing the natural world and the environment.

Tidy Towns groups in County Galway have embraced the focus on biodiversity and the environment by implementing a range of projects and initiatives including native tree and hedgerow planting, installing rainwater collectors, planting for pollinators, running nature walks and talks, and managing meadows for wildlife.

There are lots of resources available to help Tidy Towns and other community groups with their work.

Pollinators

www.pollinators.ie

https://pollinators.ie/resources/local-communities/

Bats and lighting

http://www.noticenature.ie/files/BCIrelandGuidelines_Lighting.pdf

https://e-voice.org.uk/rcs/assets/documents/light-pollution

Bats and woodland https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/publications/BatsAnd%20ForestryLeaflet040210.pdf

Bats and buildings

http://www.noticenature.ie/files/BCIrelandGuidelines_Building.pdf

Peatlands and wetlands

http://www.ipcc.ie/

http://www.noticenature.ie/Peatlands.html

http://www.wetlandsurveysireland.com/news/irelands-fabulous-fens.html

https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/irish-wetlands-guide.pdf

Birds

https://birdwatchireland.ie/

https://biodiversity.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/category/places

Built heritage

http://www.archaeology.ie

http://www.heritagecouncil.ie

https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Guidance_for_community_archaeology_projects.pdf

https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/guidance_care_conservation_recording_historic_graveyards_2011_7mb.pdf

Tourism and biodiversity

http://www.noticenature.ie/files/tourism_guidelines.pdf

Water and waterways

http://watersandcommunities.ie/

https://www.waterwaysireland.org/biodiversity-on-irelands-waterways

https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/

https://www.waterwaysireland.org/Documents/Heritage%20+%20Environment/Waterways%20and%20Biodiversity%20A%20Guide%20for%20Community%20Groups.pdf

Woodland, hedgerows, trees and tree planting

https://biodiversity.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/new-contributions/woodlands-hedgerows-and-trees

https://heritage.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/heritage-publications/hedgerows-county-galway

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-advice/how-manage-woodland-wildlife

Invasive species

https://biodiversity.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/category/invasive-species

http://invasivespeciesireland.com/

http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/projects/invasive-species/

http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Invasive-Species/invasive-species.html

Developing walking trails

https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/2019-10/a_guide_to_planning_and_developing_recreational_trails_in_ireland.pdf

http://www.outdoorrecreationni.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Toolkit-for-the-Development-of-Community-Trail-Networks_ORNI_2015.pdf

Leave no Trace

http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/

http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/publication/leave-no-trace-biodiversity-toolkit-communities/

Nature conservation/ environmental protection legislation and guidance

http://www.npws.ie

http://www.noticenature.ie/

https://www.npws.ie/legislation

http://www.conservationvolunteers.ie/individual_branches/galway_branch.html

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/ea/drafteiarguidelines.html

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/biodiversity/strive106ibiamanual.html

Nature Walks

Monivea Tidy Towns working on heritage audit

Interpretive signage in Rinville Park