What is biodiversity?
“Biodiversity underpins the functioning of the ecosystems on which we depend for food and fresh water, health and recreation, and protection from natural disasters. Its loss also affects us culturally and spiritually. This may be more difficult to quantify, but is nonetheless integral to our well-being”
– Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations
Hi all,
Today starts the beginning of Biodiversity Week 2021, with a huge range of events taking place virtually all over the country to celebrate Irish biodiversity and conservation. If you are looking for something fun to do over the next week I am attaching a few activities, videos and live events that you might be interested in showing your students (also helpful if you are covering a class and want to show them something fun and interesting). Below is the link to the calendar of events. All are free but you may need to get a ticket for it anyway.
"Discover and celebrate the huge range of wildlife in Ireland with free events every day for #biodiversityweek2021! Learn how to attract wildlife to your garden, or more about our woodlands, wetlands, or coastline. Get ideas for your community group, or how you can take individual action.
See all events here: https://biodiversityweek.ie/events-calendar/
Finish off the week by taking part in the #BackyardBioblitz! Discover what's right outside your door with experts on hand to ID your finds. https://biodiversityweek.ie/backyard-bioblitz-2021/ "
Natural History Museum events: https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/News/National-Biodiversity-Week-Ireland-events
You might also want to get your students involved in the biodiversity photo competition (winning prize of €500): https://biodiversityweek.ie/photo-competitions/
Green Schools Biodiversity Week Activities (includes competition with daily prizes) : https://greenschoolsireland.org/event/biodiversity-week-2021/
Videos:
This is Ireland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4VdLc-mqss
Gardening for biodiversity series - Log piles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZJkbd0CLvg
Wildflower Meadow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJTqM14vOHU
Garden Pond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRN1sp78jHk&t=5s
Eco Eye - Biodiversity (24 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFmlh6De9k
Hope you find something to enjoy
St Josephs' Green Schools Committee and Mr Delahunty
Valuing Water Click here to view our video