June 26th Dublin Branch Pub Quiz

On Wednesday June 26th, there was a big turn out for the Dublin Branch IWT quiz in Doyles Pub, opposite Trinity College. About twenty teams with names like 'The Nudey Newts' and the 'Guilty Badgers' competed  to win a variety of great prizes, including a raffle. Everyone also sampled the tempting food that was on offer. As well as general knowledge questions like 'what popular chain of stores is named after the first mate in Moby Dick?' (Starbucks) and (of course) lots of nature questions like 'what is the oldest breed of dog?' (greyhound) there was also a Simpsons round to separate the men/women from the boys/girls . Questions like 'what is the name of Mr Burns teddy bear?' (bubu), 'what does Smithers collect?' (barbie dolls) and 'what is Principal Seymour Skinner's real name?' (can't remember this one) kept the competition fierce. A lot of fun was had by all and €242 was raised for the IWT - so all in all a good night's work.

June 4th - Green Drinks - turf cutting

This month the Irish Wildlife Trust Dublin Branch heard Andrew Jackson, An Taisce's Natural Heritage Officer talk about the 'History and the Future of EU nature conservation policy'. Andrew also discussed the controversial topic of the turf cutting ban in raised bog SACs, attempts at resolving the conflict, and the light this dispute sheds on the future of EU biodiversity policy. In 2012 at least a third of the protected 53 raised bog Natura 2000 sites were cut, and the indications are that cutting is continuing in 2013. Efforts to enforce the protection of the bogs are still failing and matters are urgent at this stage. 36% of the remaining raised bog was lost between 1994 and 2005 and it is estimated that one third of the remaining 1% of the original raised bogs will be lost in the next ten years.

An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland is one of Ireland’s oldest environmental and NGOs which serves to protect Ireland’s built and natural environment. Those of you familiar with IWT will know that this fits wonderfully into our Turf cutting campaign and our SAC watch program.

Turf Cutting at Monivea, Co. Galway Picture - Friends of the Irish environment