There was a wonderful turn out for this innovative event that was held in Siamsa Tíre, Tralee on 26th October. Those involved in biodiversity projects happening in Kerry took the opportunity to display information, see Siamsa Bees flyer. Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre and the Kerry Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust were also present with their displays.
Ecologist Una Fitzpatrick of Biodiversity Ireland was instrumental in producing the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, and is its chairperson. This plan is downloadable from this link (there is also a Junior Version for schools and much much more). The leaflet about the biodiversity projects in Kerry included a link to Parishes in Kerry and their Laudato Si’ project on biodiversity initiated during Earth Week 2016
Una kindly agreed to an radio interview for ‘Horizons’ the Weekly religious affairs programme on Radio Kerry when she encouraged all church communities to get involved. Church bulletins proved a most useful way to promote this event in addition to the Diocese of Kerry website and Facebook page.
Kerry County Council Biodiversity Officer also made copies of the Pollinator Plan available, but such was the enthusiasm that these rapidly ran out. Una introduced the new ‘How-to-guides’ which include Hedgerows for Pollinators, Creating Wild Pollinator Nesting Habitat (all are available for download).
So if you want to respond to the challenge of Pope Francis in Laudato Si “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience” LS#21, here is a practical way to get involved.
Sylvia Thompson