Kildare Biodiversity Week 2015

Kildare Biodiversity Week beginning Saturday 16 May will herald a range of activities across the county to encourage people to become aware of the diversity of wild life and how importance it is for the well-being of all of us, writes Brian Byrne.

The Week will be launched by the Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin, at an event in the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore, beginning at 2pm. It will finish on International Biodiversity Day, 22 May, at Solas Bhride and Hermitages Centre in Kildare which has organised a number of events for all ages.

Biodiversity is about the variety of plant and animal species and the interaction between them. It is this interaction that is essential for life, giving us all the things we need — clean air, water, agriculture, food and amenity. Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development and human well-being.

Kildare County Council's heritage officer Bridget Loughlin says the people of Kildare are invited to visit Kildare wild spots, lakes, rivers, bogs, woodlands or to simply enjoy the biodiversity of their back garden.

The Week's events will take place throughout the county, and range from learning about the otters in Naas to identifying bumble bees in Ardclough. A programme of the events is available in all libraries and for full listing of events go to the Kildare County Council website here.

All events listed are free. Children are welcome but should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Dress suitably for the weather. Dogs must be on leads.