Newsletter 12 October 2024

Busy Sunday

On Sunday morning we had 20 volunteers out for the Weekly Litter Pick and we covered the usual 5km and all in between in that time. Pat collected 8 bags of litter from Sunday and he collected 4 bags of  litter, 1 bag of  glass and 1 bag of  cans from litter picks during the week for the last two weeks.

We also welcome 8 Transition Year Students from the local schools as they embark on achieving their Gaisce Award. It is always a pleasure to welcome these students and we are very grateful for the work that they do.

Our thanks to volunteers Brigid and Denis who took them under their wings on Sunday and got them working on removing some of the flowers from the tiered planters on Main Street and also sorting out the planters at Eastgate.

Birthday Times at The Plaza

Last Sunday at The Plaza at our normal Sunday Morning Cuppa following our Litter Pick there was a double cerebration as our esteemed volunteer Gay Holden and our local Cuate Fr Ronan Sheehan were both celebrating their Birthdays. Both men had their Special Days marked with Cake and the traditional singing of Happy Birthday. Congratulations to you bothy.

Eastgate Planters

Last Sunday the Transition Year Students under the guidance of Brigid and Denis did a great job removing some of the plants that had grown through the railings from the planters at Eastgate. The plants this year provided a double layer of colour to the pedestrians using the high path at Eastgate. They certainly gave a huge burst of colour during this summer.

Eastgate Planters
Eastgate Planters
Eastgate Planters

Pick A Pumpkin

Check out the details of 2024 Pick A Pumpkin at the Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams.

This is on tomorrow Sunday 13th October.

Pick A Pumpkin

Journey to be a Citizen Scientist

We are thrilled once again to be working together with Wild Work to help us learn more about nature in our community.

These four sessions which are outlined below will give you a chance to see firsthand about nature with expert Karen. The first session will be about Bats on Thursday 24th October at 7pm in the Regional Park.

Full details of the different sessions are in the poster below.

More details will be available sooner to each event.

Journey to be a Citizen Scientist

All Ireland Pollinator Plan Newsletter

The October 2024 All Ireland Pollinator Plan Newsletter is now available on our Website. Check it out to assist you in making a difference with your Autumn Planting .

All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

Wet Monday Morning

On Monday Morning Gay, Keith and Sunday worked between the rain showers as they edged from the old fire station on the Link Roaddown to the Main Road. They removed thirty four bags for recycling.

Wet Monday Morning
Wet Monday Morning
Wet Monday Morning

Busy Tuesday

On Tuesday morning Ger, Keith and Sunday finished cutting back the geraniums in the 5 flower beds on the Poulavone Roundabout.

They removed 4 tonne bags of cuttings. Then they attacked more of the bindweed on the Carrignarra Road. This work is very important as this week can choke trees etc. so our work is preventative in looking after the trees on this road.

Busy Tuesday
Busy Tuesday
Busy Tuesday

Wednesday Works

Ger, Sunday and Keith did a great job cleaning up the kerbs in Castleknock Estate.

The lads did a great job and brought over 20 bags of leaves and cuttings for recycling.

In addition Ger and Sunday brought 3 boxes of glass for recycling.

Wednesday Works
Wednesday Works

Thursday Work

Well done to the Residents of Alysbury and Beech Park who have been busy making a big difference this week with winter cleaning. We collected 28 bags of leaves and sweepings plus one bag of ivy from Aylsbury and 4 bags of leaves from Beech Park.

All were brought down for recycling by Jimmy and Sunday.

Tom and Keith prepared the window boxes for removal at Maxol, White Horse and at Muskerry junction.

They also removed the pole planters from the The Oriel up to Muskerry Junction. A real sign that summer is over when the planters are ready to be removed.

Thursday Work
Thursday Work

Cork City Community Newsletter

Wednesday 8th October2024

To open the Newsletter click HERE

Forum invitation November 2024

To open the Invitation click HERE

Cork County Federation Muintir na Tire Weekly News

To open the Newsletter click HERE

Irish Bee Conservation Project

Dear supporters and friends,

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Irish Bee Conservation Project. We are committed to protecting all of Ireland’s native wild bees and other pollinators, a mission that would not be possible without your ongoing support. We are delighted to share some recent updates and accomplishments.

Activities and Appearances

Throughout the summer, our dedicated volunteers have represented the Irish Bee Conservation Project at numerous events, spreading awareness and engaging the community.

  • Cork summer show. A great opportunity to connect with the community and share our mission.
  • Youghal Blue Green Festival. Highlighting the importance of pollinators in coastal ecosystems.
  • Festival of Science. Engaging with young minds about the science of pollination.
  • Native Breeds Event. Focusing on the link between native wildlife and pollinator health.
  • Mad Scientist Event. Collaborating with Fota Wildlife Park to inspire future conservationists.
Activities and Appearances
A heartfelt thank you to the organisers of all of these events for having us and providing a platform to spread our mission and educate the community. Keep an eye on our social media and website to see where we will be popping up next!

We were privileged to visit St. Joseph’s School in Glanmire and participate in the hoisting of their Green Flag, an award recognizing their commitment to environmental sustainability. Congratulations to all involved in this achievement, keep up the great work!

On World Bee Day, we partnered with Cork City Council for a public information and games event in the Regional Park in Ballincollig. The day was filled with learning and fun, drawing attention to the vital role of bees in our ecosystem.

Achievements and Recognitions

Activities and Appearances
We are proud to announce that our project was a finalist in the RDS Sustainability Awards. This recognition underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable practices that support Ireland’s pollinators.

Our latest initiative, the Solitary Bee Lodge Posts, have been successfully installed in numerous locations, including Cork City Parks, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Lough Gur, Adare, Newcastle. These lodges were installed in partnership with Tidy Towns, Cope Foundation, and Niche Community. These lodges provide crucial habitats for solitary bees, helping to sustain their populations.

The Call to Action

We are increasingly concerned about the ongoing use of chemicals, such as insecticides and herbicides, which are causing untold damage to our environment. This chemical overuse is leading to an insect famine that will have devastating effects on future generations.

Our young people are speaking out: “Stop the Insect Famine!” Managed honey bees alone cannot solve the pollination crisis. The health of all wild insects reflects the state of our environment. No insects mean no birds, and no birds mean no humans. It’s a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of life.

Sign the “save local bees” petition below to urge government bodies across Europe to protect our native pollinators. For other ideas of how to get involved check out our Instagram, plant some native wildflowers in your own garden, or simply open up a conversation about the importance of native pollinators with your friends and family.

We urge everyone to join us in our fight to protect Ireland’s wild pollinators. Together, we can stop the decline of insects and safeguard the future for all living beings.

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors

We extend our deepest gratitude to Analog Devices, Cork City Council,Stonewell PM Group, and Reforest Nation for their generous financial support.Their contributions are vital in sustaining our operations and enabling us tocontinue our work.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our cause.

 

Warm regards,

The Irish Bee Conservation Project Team