Phoenix Park is to host the sixth family friendly Biodiversity Festival & Honey Show in Dublin this weekend.
Planners say the event will be 'buzzing' with a range of guided walks, gardening and beekeeping workshops as well as a whole host of nature talks aimed at highlighting the importance of bees and biodiversity.
Organised by the Office of Public Works in association with the Federation of Irish Beekeeping Associations, it will take place from Friday, September 9 to Sunday September 11.
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Families can take part in events about the night sky as well as walks where they could spots the park's bats and deer. Events will take place at both the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre in Ashtown Demesne and at the Biodiversity Centre, just inside the Knockmaroon Gate of the Phoenix Park.
Since there is much debate on biodiversity and its importance to our environment, climate, health, economy and personal well-being, the OPW hopes to shed a light on this and highlight its work in line with its Biodiversity Action Strategy, which was launched in May.
Guest speakers including Dr Simone Ciuti (UCD), Nuala Madigan (Irish Peatland Conservation Council), Ruth Hannify (Vincent Wildlife Trust), Mary Reynolds (WeAreTheArk.org), Ciaran Kelly (Met Eireann), Dr Dheeraj Rathore (Teagasc) and OPW Guide Leif Barry will speak about important aspects of biodiversity and sustainability.
Dublin Bat Group’s Bats of Phoenix Park tour is one of several family friendly events aiming to provide a glimpse of nature while visitors will also get the chance to view the wonderful night sky and learn about what is happening up there with the Irish Astronomical Society.
An OPW Park Ranger will provide a detailed history of the fallow deer and their yearly life cycle, while OPW Tree Surgeon Tony Malocca will provide an informative walking tour around Ashtown Castle Arboretum, where visitors can take in some of the magnificent trees in the Demense.
In the week leading up to the event, there will be some insightful lunchtime talks from experts such as Dr Noeleen Smyth, Assistant Professor at UCD and Justin Byrne, Chief Operating Officer, Irish Environmental Network, as well as a talk from Margaret Gormley, OPW Chief Park Superintendent on 'Biodiversity in Action': OPW's Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022-2026.
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