The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is looking for your views on trawling within the 6 nautical mile coastal zone. The IWT would like to see all trawling banned in this area and is encouraging everybody who cares for our seas to make their views known. We have prepared a sample template and […]
Environmental groups slam Heritage Bill roll back of Irish nature laws A coalition of environmental NGOs and concerned citizens will rally outside Leinster House today to call on the Government to halt the roll back of Ireland’s nature laws proposed in the Heritage Bill. BirdWatch Ireland, the Irish Wildlife Trust, An Taisce, the […]
On Saturday we were hosted by the Blessington Tidy Town group to hold a very successful talk on bees and pollination and outdoor workshop on bee monitoring and identification. April has seen some spring weather arrive at long last, bringing some growth for our wildlife. It has also marked the beginning of this year’s […]
The public has until the 23rd of March 2018 to highlight their priorities for the reformed CAP scheme post-2020. The Irish Wildlife Trust is asking members of the public to engage with this important process and to particularly highlight the need to protect the environment and biodiversity in any reformed plan. A submission form can […]
Your garden can save lives During cold snaps, you will almost certainly notice more birds coming into your garden to seek sanctuary from the harsher environment in the countryside – particularly if you provide food on a regular basis. The variety of species may increase too and you may be lucky enough to attract unusual […]
JOINT PRESS RELEASE: BirdWatch Ireland, Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations, Irish Wildlife Trust, Hedgelaying Association of Ireland, An Taisce. The Beast from the East slows spring but ban on hedgecutting and burning starts today Although the “Beast from the East” is doing its utmost to suggest otherwise, 1st March is the first day of spring. […]
Re: Submission on final proposals for fishing opportunities for 2018 The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is an Irish non-profit organisation concerned with the conservation of Ireland’s biodiversity. As an island nation our marine and fisheries resource is a vital component of our natural and cultural heritage. Its sustainable use is therefore an essential element in […]
Shark Attack Last September a member of the public sent us this image of a critically endangered porbeagle shark at the fishmongers counter in Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt in Dublin. This, in itself, is not illegal however it is illegal to target the species or land it. We understand that no money changed hands at any […]
We are celebrating National Biodiversity Week from 19th to 28th May. All the events are free of charge and open to all. Join us at one of the events to explore the outdoors and learn about our fantastic biodiversiy. National Biodiversity Week Events 20 May: Miniature Wildlife in the National Botanic Garden – Co Dublin […]
New book charts Ireland’s vanishing nature and explores a future for people and wildlife Pádraic Fogarty has been Campaign Officer for the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) since 2013 and was its Chairman from 2009 to 2013. During this time he has also been Editor of the IWT’s quarterly ‘Irish Wildlife’ magazine. In his new book Whittled […]
Saint Patrick may have gotten rid of Ireland’s snakes but it seems he spared our lizards Help put them on the map with the Irish Wildlife Trust. Saint Patrick may have gotten rid of Ireland’s snakes but it seems he spared our lizards. Ireland really is home to two fascinating lizard species and this Spring […]
Irish Wildlife Trust calls for the prohibition of pair trawling in coastal areas Pair trawling is a fishing practice involving two boats dragging between them a single large net with small meshing. It is an activity which has lately been going on in sheltered inshore bays and estuaries along the west coast – many of which are […]
No to More Slash & BurnThe Irish Wildlife Trust, Birdwatch Ireland, An Taisce, and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland highlight that the proposed changes to Section 40 of the Wildlife Act contained in the Heritage Bill 2016 are unjustified and damaging to natural heritage. Now the Bill is in the Seanad for debate this […]
Petition: Reverse the decision to abolish the Department of the Environment The Irish Wildlife Trust, along with Friends of the Earth, VOICE, Birdwatch Ireland and An Taisce, is launching a petition calling on the Taoiseach to reverse his decision to abolish the Department of the Environment. Join us in supporting Irish wildlife by signing this […]
“No to More Slash and Burn!” Campaign Launch The Irish Wildlife Trust, Birdwatch Ireland, An Taisce and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland have come together to launch a petition to persuade the Government to reverse its decision to makes changes to Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, which will allow for the burning of […]
No To More Slash & Burn The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is disappointed but not surprised at the announcement yesterday that Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, has extended the season into which land owners can burn vegetation or cut hedges. Once again we note that the greater good of protecting […]
IWT submission on final proposals for fishing opportunities for 2016 The Irish Wildlife Trust’s (IWT) submission on final proposals for fishing opportunities for 2016, submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, can be seen as a pdf here. Alternatively, the text of the submission is as follows: The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) […]
The Irish Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce the launch of its Irish Lizard Survey, which has been sponsored by Dublin Zoo. After the success of the Irish Wildlife Trust National Newt Survey, this Irish environmental charity is now conducting a pilot lizard survey with a view to running a future “Citizens Science” survey of […]
IWT call on the Government to reject IFA cull on deer The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and its media arm, the Irish Farmers’ Journal (IFA), have been encouraging the government to undertake a cull of deer in Wicklow in order to control TB in cattle. This call has been prompted by a report from the […]
The IWT have launched a Nature Notes video “Three Shades of Blue” on how to identify our native and non native species of bluebells in Ireland, including the hybrids. To watch the video, check out our You Tube page at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGrWkRw70JU
The Irish Wildlife Trust is supporting the Nature Alert! the campaign to facilitate people across the 28 EU countries to participate in the European Commission public consultation to help save nature conservation laws. The campaign, which is being organised by BirdLife, the European Environmental Bureau, Friends of the Earth Europe and WWF, is part of […]
Ireland’s landscape is one of our most valuable assets. It’s the basis of our tourism and agriculture industries but more than that it provides us with water, flood control and clean air. It’s home to our wildlife and it’s where we go to restore weary minds. Indeed we use it as an effective tool when […]
The IWT are delighted to announce that we are starting a series of talks and events, based around wildlife, for the OPW at St. Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham in South Dublin. The programme starts this Easter with: An afternoon tea & talk on: “The wildlife of South Dublin” on Wed. 1st April, 2:30pm and a “Family Easter Nature Trail” on Sat. 4th […]
Irish Wildlife Trust calls on Minister Coveney to deny single farm payments to those found responsible for illegal burning Reports from all over Ireland show that the annual bonfire of our countryside is well underway. This illegal practice is resulting in the massive degradation of upland habitats and is driving species to extinction. While illegal […]
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys appeared clueless and unaware of her responsibilities in an interview with Radio Kerry this morning (April 23rd). She maintained that fires were not an issue for her staff except where it occurred in Killarney National Park. She seemed totally unaware that fires also occurred in Wicklow […]
Irish Wildlife Trust Launch “Mad March Hare” Video Competition The Irish hare Lepus timidus hibernicus is an endemic sub-species of the arctic hare. Unlike its continental cousins, which are restricted to high mountains and Arctic tundra, Irish hares are found from sea level right up to the tops of the highest Irish mountains. Sadly, this […]
Irish Wildlife Trust launches roadside habitats conservation project, “Networks for Nature” The Irish Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce a new and innovative project titled ‘Networks for Nature’, which aims to educate and empower local communities and tidy towns groups to manage and cherish roadside verges which are important refugia for biodiversity. IWT Conservation Officer, […]
Irish Wildlife Trust calls for all burning of uplands to be banned under any revision of the Wildlife Act. The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT), in its submission to the proposed changes in the open season for hedge-cutting and burning of vegetation in the Wildlife Act, has called for all burning of upland vegetation to be […]
Rónán McLaughlin reviews Birds of the Homeplace – the Lives of Ireland’s Familiar Birds by Anthony McGeehan with Julian Wyllie. Read the review and see others in our Guest Articles section.
Children’s book on sale now – My First Book of Irish Animals My First Book of Irish Animals, by Juanita Browne, is the first children’s picture book aimed at introducing young children to the wonderful world of Irish wildlife. Filled with fascinating facts and beautiful illustrations by Irish artist, Aoife Quinn, this book will capture the […]
