National Biodiversity Week events in Fingal

Fingal has a full programme of events to celebrate Biodiversity Week from Friday 17th – Sunday 26th May. National Biodiversity Week is all about connecting people with nature. The events will present opportunities to learn from and interact with experts in a wide range of biodiversity-related fields and include something to suit all ages, backgrounds and interests.

Fingal County Council will launch Biodiversity Week at the Skerries Mills on May 17th with a Hedge Walk at 7pm hosted by hedgerow expert Mark McDowell for Hedgerows Ireland. This walk will cover the role of hedges in supporting plant and animals and how to manage hedgerows for biodiversity.

On May 18th will be a Woodland Walk at St. Catherine’s Park hosted by ecologist Faith Wilson to highlight some of the plants and wildlife that can be found in this ancient woodland. Also, on May 18th, there will be a whale watch organised by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group as part of the island-wide Whale Watch Ireland 2024 event departing from Howth in the late afternoon.

On the 22nd of May there will be two sessions of Meet the Goats on Howth, a goat meet-and-greet with Melissa Jeuken that presents an opportunity to see and learn about the herd of goats working to protect Howth from wildfires. There will also be a lunchtime webinar with ecologist Alan Sullivan focussing on the Ward River Valley and management practices aimed at enhancing biodiversity in the area.

On the 23rd, there will be a Howth Safari hike. This outdoors adventure will take participants around Howth, highlighting both the plants and animals that can be found there, including wildlife and a closer look at the resident goats and cattle.

On the 25th, there will be a pond dipping event at St. Ita’s lead by Rob Gandola of the Herpetological Society of Ireland that will explore some of the secretive and overlooked creatures that dwell in ponds. There will also be a Den Building Challenge for the whole family in the Turvey Nature Park in Donabate lead by the children’s nature charity OWLS.

From relaxing hedge and woodland walks to exhilarating adventures like hiking and whale watching, there should be something for any type of biodiversity enthusiast (of any age) to enjoy.

For more details and booking requirements for some events please see Fingal County Council - 'Fingal Biodiversity Events April - June 2024' A5 Programme and https://biodiversityweek.ie