Ireland: First Forest Biodiversity Workshop held at the new Community Woodland in Tuamgraney – East Clare
Irish Integrate Network representative, Jonathan Spazzi (Teagasc), shares exciting news about an interesting new project that he’s been working on this year with the Tuamgraney Development Association (local community group) and local environmental NGOs.
“I was originally involved with the development of this community woodland as a consultant forester though the Neighbourhood years ago,” says Jonathan. “It has been closed for almost 7 years. Now, there is a new local committee in place, which I am facilitating, aiming to fully reopen this community space as outdoor training facility, as well as a recreational space.”
Funding through Clare Council has been applied to further improve the access and signage. Now a whole programme of forest workshops across disciplines of ecology, biodiversity conservation, integrative forest management and other forest skills is envisaged for the next year, together with a range of diverse tutors.
“I plan to schedule here a number of regular workshops based on the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP),” declares Jonathan. Earlier this year, he had participated in the IBP “Train-the-Trainers” workshop – jointly organized by the Integrate Network and TRANSFORMIT project – to learn further teaching skills on how to support the promotion of biodiversity conservation within forest management approaches.
On Saturday, August 1, he facilitated the first “Biodiversity Workshop” to explore the biodiversity richness of Tuamgraney Community Woodland.
“I am delighted with the development so far, and so are the people that took part in the first workshop.”
Want to know more about the IBP “Train-the-Trainers” event that lead the way for this workshop in Ireland? Read about it here.
