'OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT' was held on Thursday 24th October 2013 in St. Michael's Hall. This was a presentation on how we can enhance the amount and variety of wildlife, plants and animals in and around the town. It was the third such event in a series of four. Billy Flynn, the Ecologist who is working on this project with KTT, introduced several people with specialist knowledge who shared their insights and ideas with an enthusiastic and interested audience (and good on them for coming out on such a wet and stormy night).
Following a welcoming cup of tea and some delicious homemade cake and buns, KTT Chairman, Donie O'Sullivan, talked briefly about our project on biodiversity and raising awareness within the community and its importance to us all.
Then the presentations began:
Micheál Ó Coileáin, Environmental Officer with Kerry County Council opened our eyes as to how we can lessen the thousands of tons of food wasted in shops, restaurants, schools, universities, factories and hospitals as well as in each of our homes. It was a real call to arms to examine our own behaviors and attitudes to waste.
Jane Jackson slightly scared us with talk and pictures of Japanese Knotweed and its devastating effect on our local biodiversity and how it can also cause real damage to the economy.
Niamh Ni Dhuill explained the Transition Movement and in particular Transition Kerry which aims to facilitate groups and
communities to become locally strong, resilient and to live sustainably.
Pat Curran, beekeeper, took us through the fascinating story of the different stages of a bee's life cycle. No wonder they say 'busy as a bee'!
Billy Downes, Laune Trout and Salmon Anglers' Association, spoke about fish and their environment, rivers and streams, feeder waterways, clean water and what we can do to impact Kerry and Ireland's fish stocks.
Not only was each short presentation enlightening it itself but strung together the talks showed us clearly how all aspects of our lives, our behaviours and the lives of the plants and creatures around us are deeply interconnected. It was quite a wake-up call to notice nature all around us. It was also a challenge to pay closer attention to how we treat our living environment. All in all, an evening much appreciated by the crowd who attended.
Following a welcoming cup of tea and some delicious homemade cake and buns, KTT Chairman, Donie O'Sullivan, talked briefly about our project on biodiversity and raising awareness within the community and its importance to us all.
Then the presentations began:
Micheál Ó Coileáin, Environmental Officer with Kerry County Council opened our eyes as to how we can lessen the thousands of tons of food wasted in shops, restaurants, schools, universities, factories and hospitals as well as in each of our homes. It was a real call to arms to examine our own behaviors and attitudes to waste.
Jane Jackson slightly scared us with talk and pictures of Japanese Knotweed and its devastating effect on our local biodiversity and how it can also cause real damage to the economy.
Niamh Ni Dhuill explained the Transition Movement and in particular Transition Kerry which aims to facilitate groups and
communities to become locally strong, resilient and to live sustainably.
Pat Curran, beekeeper, took us through the fascinating story of the different stages of a bee's life cycle. No wonder they say 'busy as a bee'!
Billy Downes, Laune Trout and Salmon Anglers' Association, spoke about fish and their environment, rivers and streams, feeder waterways, clean water and what we can do to impact Kerry and Ireland's fish stocks.
Not only was each short presentation enlightening it itself but strung together the talks showed us clearly how all aspects of our lives, our behaviours and the lives of the plants and creatures around us are deeply interconnected. It was quite a wake-up call to notice nature all around us. It was also a challenge to pay closer attention to how we treat our living environment. All in all, an evening much appreciated by the crowd who attended.