Celebrating native woodland conservation, a BioBlitz and a biodiversity ‘bake off’ makes Glenveagh National Park a great place to visit this Biodiversity Week.
Staff are competing against fifty other protected areas across Europe in a week long BioBlitz, a race against the clock to record as many species as possible. Spanning the entire National Park and the range of habitats it includes, staff and the public gathering nature records that will be logged on the Observation.org website.
From insect and bird life, plants and trees, to mammals and night time nature, the event will help highlight the variety and abundance of wildlife that makes Glenveagh so special.
Encouraging people to think about nature and biodiversity creatively is a big part of the celebrations, with the public invited to submit photos of their ‘biodiversity bake off’ creations.
Categories include ‘Children’s Best Bake’, ‘Most Creative Effort’ & ‘Comedy Cakes & Bakes’. Entries are already pouring in from all over Donegal and further afield, and will be shared on social media throughout the week. Staff are going to take part by bringing their entries in for display and public vote on Saturday 25th May.
This year will see native woodlands become an important feature of events and educational actives in Glenveagh. A big highlight of the week will be between Friday 24th and Sunday 26th May when a special native woodland display will be available, showcasing the work being done to restore this important habitat in the Park.
Sue Callaghan, Divisional Manager with NPWS said: “Biodiversity Week provides a wonderful opportunity for NPWS to celebrate our rich and valued natural heritage. Glenveagh National Park is part of the Natura 2000 network and through the fun and innovative Bioblitz event, biodiversity bake off and our woodland exhibition, Park visitors together with the National Park Education team will be able to explore and connect with nature.”
Everyone visiting throughout Biodiversity week will also be able to pick up their free copy of the new book ‘Drawn to Nature’. This notebook and journal encourages personal reflection and the opportunity to connect with Irish nature through art. The publication by NPWS will be available in all Ireland’s National Parks this week, but was created by one of Glenveagh’s staff, Alarnagh Barrett McGinley.
Glenveagh is both a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) and an important part of the Natura 2000 Network. Events this week will help raise awareness of Natura, which is the largest nature protection network in the world. All week visitors can pick up some Natura 2000 goodies when they take part in the blitz.
The visitor centre will host a special biodiversity recording station where everyone can have a go at identifying things they’ve seen on their visit, with access to books and equipment. Visitors can also talk to staff about work underway to help protect and conserve biodiversity in the Park.
