Reminder: Kildare Biodiversity Week now on

Kildare Biodiversity Week started on Saturday 21 May with a bogland adventure walk to Lodge bog South West led by Nuala Madigan from IPCC, writes Bridget Loughlin, County Kildare Heritage Officer. Running until Sunday 29 May 2016, it’s a great opportunity for people to get out and find out more about nature and Wildlife in Kildare.

The word 'biodiversity' is coined from biological diversity, 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.

Walks and talks covering all aspect of Kildare’s natural Heritage have been organised by wildlife groups in Kildare. Writer and documentary maker Manchán Magan outlines steps towards transforming Kildare and its environs into a thriving, socially-inclusive sustainable haven in Solas Bhride on Wed 25th. The Kildare Bat Group have organised walks in Broadford and Maynooth. Kildare BirdWatch will be leading dusk chorus events in Athy and Maynooth. There are a number of woodland walks in Mullaghcreelan Wood, Castledermot; Kilinthomas, Rathangan and Kildoon near Nurney. Maynooth University, in co-operation with Maynooth Tidy Towns, will host a day-long Biodiversity Day on Wednesday 25th.

Kildare Biodiversity Week has been organised to develop awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to better understand its value to the local, national and international communities. The people of Kildare are invited to get out into Kildare’s Biodiversity, to visit Kildare wild spots, lakes, rivers, bogs, woodlands or to simply enjoy the biodiversity of their back garden.

A listing of events has been compiled by Kildare County Council through the Heritage Office All events are free but some may need to be booked. You can download the booklet on the week here.