DART customers to share journey with wildlife of Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere
Animal, marine and plant biodiversity of Biosphere on display to rail commuters
There are some new commuters on Dublin’s DART service from this week, as seals, goats, newts and more appear beside rail customers on their journeys.
Iarnród Éireann has joined with the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere partnership to raise awareness of the Biosphere which tens of thousands of rail customers travel through on DART journeys daily.
A series of 12 specially designed window illustrations will promote the biodiversity which exists just outside the windows of the DART, as the various wildlife “hold on” to the windows on their journey, across 32 of the carriages on the iconic green fleet. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy; Cllr Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; and Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony joined with Iarnród Éireann at Dublin’s Connolly Station today to unveil the campaign.
The illustrations, on display throughout 2023, give a glimpse of the character of the animal and marine life, and displays some of the flora that thrives within the Biosphere also.
Dean Eaton, Biosphere Coordinator for the Dublin Bay Biosphere Partnership said “The Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere is committed to supporting sustainability development activities within Dublin Bay and we’re delighted to partner with Iarnród Éireann, an organisation which offers sustainable travel to Dublin commuters and visitors alike. This project will bring our wonderful wildlife a little closer to DART passengers and we hope these caricatures will pique people’s interest to discover more about our internationally important wildlife and the biosphere they call home.“
Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said “DART customers and Iarnród Éireann staff alike are privileged to travel to, through and work in a UNESCO-designated Biosphere such as we have in Dublin Bay. We are excited to work with the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere partnership to bring the biodiversity of the Biosphere to life for our customers with these fun illustrations. Kids and adults alike will love them, and we hope it encourages our customers to explore the biodiversity on their doorstep, and travel sustainably while doing so.”
Biospheres are places where nature and culture connect. They are internationally recognised for their biological diversity yet also actively managed to promote a balanced relationship between people and nature. A biosphere is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) but managed in partnership by communities, NGOs and local and national governments.
The Biosphere is currently managed by six partner organisations, Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin Port Authority, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fáilte Ireland with support from locally based NGO’s and voluntary groups.
The Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere is part of a world network of 738 biosphere reserves located in 134 countries across the glob, with members committed to:
- identify and assess the changes in the biosphere resulting from human and natural activities and the effects of these changes on humans and the environment, in particular in the context of climate change;
- study and compare the dynamic interrelationships between natural/near-natural ecosystems and socio-economic processes, in particular in the context of accelerated loss of biological and cultural diversity with unexpected consequences that impact the ability of ecosystems to continue to provide services critical for human well-being;
- ensure basic human welfare and a liveable environment in the context of rapid urbaniation and energy consumption as drivers of environmental change;
- promote the exchange and transfer of knowledge on environmental problems and solutions, and to foster environmental education for sustainable development.
To learn more about the biosphere visit our website at www.dublinbaybiosphere.ie or email [email protected]
