Acorn Spring 2009

Acorn
the
Environment Newsletter of Kildare County Council
Spring
2009
Protecting KILDARE'S rivers
A mayfly larva
at close quarters.
The Eastern River Basin District Project (ERBD) is a five-year project funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and
Local Government. The Project is part of Ireland’s implementation of the Water Framework Directive. This directive requires that
all member states in the EU adopt a comprehensive basin-based approach to water management. By basin-based it means
viewing water bodies as they exist in the landscape rather than on a county by county basis.
In the case of Kildare this means protecting rivers that cross the
county boundary like the Boyne, the Rye and the Liffey. This is a very
sensible approach and means that all the authorities (county
councils, fishery protection bodies etc.) can act together to ensure
rivers are kept free from pollution.
A key part of the work is the appointment of a Watershed Warden.
The warden is equipped with a four wheel drive jeep, an inflatable
boat and a variety of monitoring and sampling equipment. The
watershed warden will spend the next year travelling widely
throughout Kildare and the neighbouring counties gaining a detailed
knowledge of "on the ground" conditions and problems such as
pollution from farms, homes and businesses.
The warden and council staff will then visit a number of primary
schools in the area to inform the children about the ERBD project and
explain how to tell if a river is polluted or not. This involves taking
water samples and having the samples analysed to see what
chemicals are in the water. The other method is to take a sample of
the stones and mud at the bottom of a stream and check what
creepy-crawlies live in the stream. Many types, such as mayfly larvae,
cannot live in polluted water, so it is always a good sign when you
have these in a stream.
It is hoped that discussing the issues with local children will
encourage parents to take a greater interest in the local waterways
and foster an appreciation of our natural environment. The scheme
will be extended nationally to cover all rivers, including other rivers
in Kildare like the Barrow.
For more information, go to
www.erbd.ie
in this issue…
HOLIDAYS & THE
ENVIRONMENT
3
interested in
an Allotment?
4
Robertstown
Bin Design
6
Printed on Recycled Paper
Wildlife
notes
8
1
Cleaning your house the natural way
Many people are becoming conscious of the chemicals used in household cleaning products. Some of these chemicals have
unknown longterm effects and therefore, these cleaning agents should be used carefully. However, your granny could
probably tell you that 40 or 50 years ago, people used very simple household products to clean their homes. Three ‘green’
cleaners in particular are worth looking at:
Vinegar
and most useful general
d) is one of the cheapest
• Vinegar (or acetic aci
excellent solvent and
d. Being an acid it is an
purpose cleaners aroun
wonderful disinfectant,
which makes it such a
it is this very property
gents cannot remove
tive. Even normal deter
antiseptic and preserva
t before a wash does
thes. A rub of vinegar jus
chewing gum off your clo
r.
s as a fine fabric softene
the trick. Vinegar also act
come stained over
oking pots which have be
co
er
pp
co
or
el
ste
ess
a few tablespoons
• Stainl
by applying a solution of
ed
an
cle
sily
ea
be
can
time
mmon table salt.
h a few teaspoons of co
wit
xed
mi
ar
eg
vin
ite
of wh
e cup of vinwindow cleaner? Use on
ly
nd
frie
lly
nta
me
on
vir
ing up liquid
• Need an en
with few drops of wash
ng
alo
ter
wa
of
ps
cu
r
egar and fou
s clean.
to wipe the window pane
Baking soda
sed with baking
arbonate (not be confu
bic
m
diu
so
as
n
ow
kn
ise
umption, pour
• Baking soda, otherw
and less detergent cons
ry
nd
lau
ite
wh
lly
rea
r liquid detergent.
powder) can be used for
en you add your regula
wh
sh
wa
the
o
int
da
ter brights, and
half a cup of baking so
you whiter whites, brigh
e
giv
to
n
ow
kn
en
be
The baking soda has
odour-free clothing.
comabsorbs smelly volatile
tural de-odorizer as it
na
a
To
is
ay.
it
aw
as
go
ed
ors
us
od
be
'smell' the
• It can also
g soda in your bins and
kin
.
ba
ge
me
frid
so
the
ur
of
Po
.
ck
air
ba
pounds in the
en box at the
op
an
in
it
g
cin
pla
try
,
fresh
keep your fridge smelling
nths.
mo
of
le
up
co
Replace every
ective kitchen and
to a spray bottle is an eff
d
de
ad
ter
wa
d
an
ce
ld spot test first).
lemon jui
e any cleaner, you shou
• An equal amount of
(lik
lls
wa
on
ed
us
be
o
als
od chopbathroom cleaner and can
ernight and then rinse. Wo
ov
ve
lea
,
ard
bo
g
pin
op
lp kill off
your wooden ch
ay, but the lemon will he
yw
an
s
• Rub lemon juice into
rtie
pe
pro
al
eri
have anti-bact
ping boards appear to
d neutralise smells.
an
es
sti
any remaining na
Lemon
tips
n
e
ad
inste
gre
n
e
p
ble
ic
B
la
refil
2005
. By
Use a
e
l
b
a
s
n
dispo
billio
of a
100
r
e
v
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ens!
sold
int p
o
p
had
l
l
ba
sable
t of
dispo
ful lo
w
a
in
is an
unta
That
. A fo
e
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s
s and
ic wa
year
r
plast
o
f
k
last
of in
can
ttle
pen
o
b
a
!
aste
u use
no w
if yo
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o
lm
e is a
ther
2
Universal charger for mobile phones
Good news for the planet and people who use phones! The
world's biggest mobile phone makers and network operators
have backed plans to create a universal phone charger.
Most manufacturers currently produce chargers that work only with their
own phones. The new charger will consume 50% less stand-by energy than
today's chargers. Firms to back the plan include Nokia, Motorola, Samsung,
Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Orange, 3, AT&T and Vodafone. The majority of
new handsets will support the re-charger by 2012. At the moment, more than 30
different kinds of charger are in use across the EU.
The industry estimates the new charger will mean the potential elimination of up to
51,000 tonnes of duplicate chargers. In addition, another industry initiative will allow
consumers to choose if they need a charger with every new device or can re-use
existing ones.
H olidays a n d t he E nvironment
With all the talk of the downturn in the economy, many people are cutting back on spending. One of the areas
people are looking at is holidays. Many are considering holidaying more locally than they would normally- instead
of a vacation, they are having a staycation! Apart from keeping money in the Irish economy, holidaying locally will
also massively reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that would be produced if people were to fly to overseas
destinations. So this is a great opportunity to make holidays more environmentally-friendly.
To put it in context, if you take a return flight to southern Spain, over
half a tonne (500 kgs) of carbon dioxide will be produced. If you drive
an average sized car from Naas to Killarney and back only 80 kgs are
produced. In Ireland, everybody is producing on average 16 tonnes of
carbon dioxide per annum, so holidays (particularly long haul flights)
can account for a large part of the total amount.
Apart from the use of energy, you can even take holidays that
promote the idea of sustainability throughout. Eco holidays are
becoming common in Ireland and will probably become more popular
in the future. The emphasis is on reducing carbon emissions, eating
local foods, staying in accommodation that is owned locally and
trying to purchase goods and services that are local and sustainable.
Whether you decide on a walking holiday in the Wicklow mountains
or a stay in a hostel in Inishbofin, you will have a much lower impact
on the environment than travelling by plane abroad. Of course, a
better option is to take public transport, and best of all is to take a
walking holiday! In fact, the Royal and Grand canals and the Barrow
river provide great long distance walking routes in Kildare (or even
for a regular walk).
A good example of this is the Green Box initiative in the northwest of
Ireland. This is a system whereby hoteliers, restaurants, outdoor
activity centres and so forth combine their resources to provide
tourists with a range of environmentally-friendly holiday options.
See
www.greenbox.ie for more information.
3
Allotments
Do you want to grow your own vegetables but don’t
have a garden big enough? Or live in an apartment with no
access to a garden at all?
An allotment may be the answer for you. An allotment is
basically a small piece of land that is rented to an individual
to grow vegetables, fruit and other plants.
The land is normally rotavated once a year by the landowner, water is
supplied and manure may also be available locally. Not only is it great
to grow your own fruit and vegetables, but you can swap ideas and
seeds with your allotment neighbours too. The Council is aware of the
following commercial allotments that may have spaces available, do
check prices locally:
•
•
If you are aware of other allotments available, please let us know
and we will include the details on our website.
•
•
Michael Weld, Ballinagappa, Clane, tel.: 087 6403115
Ralph Sherwood, Ellistown near Kildare Town,
tel.: 087 2516888 or email ralphsherwood@yahoo.co.uk
Castle Farm, Narraghmore, tel.: 087 6785269
Maynooth Fisheries, Maynooth 01 6293202
Dog Fouling
The environment section of the Council receives a lot
of complaints about dog fouling. Many people are
frustrated by the seeming lack of care on the part of
dog owners who bring their dogs for a ‘walk’, but fail
to clean up after their animals. Dog fouling is covered
under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 and this law makes
it clear that the owner is legally responsible for
cleaning up after their dog. Failure to do so, may result
in a fine of up to €3,000. The litter warden will issue a
fine, but must see the owner with the dog or have a
witness who is prepared to testify in court if required.
ps
i
t
en
gre
So what is the problem?
Apart from the obvious fact that it is not very pleasant, dog faeces carry harmful infections, the
most widely known being Toxocariasis. This is a potentially serious infection and is a direct
consequence of contamination with dog faeces carrying eggs of the parasite. The parasite can
only infect humans if swallowed. Once swallowed the infection can last between six and 24
months. Toxocariasis is mainly found in children between 18 months and five years. Eye
disorders are the most commonly reported symptom, although other symptoms are aches,
dizziness, nausea, asthma and epileptic fits.
How can these health risks be avoided?
The eggs are not infectious until they mature, which usually takes at least 2–3 weeks after they
have been deposited by a dog. Dog faeces will only contaminate the soil when it has been left
on the ground for this period of time, so if owners immediately clean up after their dog the threat
of toxocariasis would be virtually eradicated.
What can I do to help?
If you own a dog, clean up after it! To be able to issue fines, realistically the Council relies on
witnesses for this sort of littering, much of which occurs when people walk their dogs at evenings
and weekends. If you wish to report somebody, call the FREEPHONE litter hotline 1800 243 143.
If you live in an estate where dog fouling is a problem, the Council can provide signage stating
that it is an offence. At least offenders cannot claim that they were unaware that it is illegal.
4
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Plant
green tips
If you have room
in your garden,
plant a tree in it.
You must plant
the right tree for
the right place
(even some smaller
trees like
cherry produce lar
ge roots that
can affect paths an
d buildings). If
you don’t have the
space, you
could always sponso
r a tree. The
Tree Council of Ire
land has a
number of sponso
red tree planting
schemes in Ireland,
see www.
treecouncil.ie. Altern
atively, you
could pay for a ma
il order tree as
a gift for somebod
y who does have
enough space- see
www.trees.ie
Wildlife Competition
We have a great competition this time with prizes ranging from nestboxes and feeders to
wildlife gardening books. There is even a nestbox camera for one lucky school to watch the
entire process of nest building, egg laying, hatching and fledging from the comfort of your
own class! There are three categories of prizes: junior, adult and school:
Junior Category (up to 18)
Schools Category
Prizes:
Prizes:
• Nestbox
• Camera nestbox. This fabulous nestbox has a built in camera and microphone so you can watch and listen to
bluetits, great tits, coal tits or
sparrows (hopefully) settle
in, build their nest and raise
a brood of chicks. The best
reality TV you will see this
year!
• Nut feeder
• My First Book of Garden Birds
• Birdwatch Ireland annual membership. Membership for
one year includes the Birdwatch Ireland newsletter, a
DVD to help you identify many of Ireland’s birds as well as
some other goodies.
Junior Question
What is the name for a blackbird
'as gaeilge' (in irish)?
Adult Category
Prizes:
• Large hanging bird feeder tray.
• Birdwatch Ireland annual membership.
Schools Question
What type of bird in
Ireland hunts for food
at night?
• Nestbox.
Adult Question
What is Ireland’s smallest bird?
Send your answer along with your name,
address, category (junior, adult or school) to
“Acorn competition”, Environment Section,
Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare or
better still, save the paper and postage and
email it to environ@kildarecoco.ie putting “Acorn
competition” in the subject line.
(Hint: it isn’t the wren!)
Last day for entries is Friday 15th of May.
• Nut feeder.
• Bird Friendly Garden Guide.
• Birdwatch Ireland annual membership.
National Spring Clean- Get involved in Kildare
National Spring Clean is the biggest annual cleanup in Ireland. It takes place over the entire
month of April. It is organised by An Taisce nationally, with support provided by local
authorities within the county. The idea behind it is to get community groups, individuals,
schools and businesses to choose an area in their community and clean it up.
Last year in Kildare over 100 groups took part and this year we are
hoping for even more to get involved. Apart from actually removing the
litter, it is also a good way of getting to meet people in your community.
You can register with An Taisce for a clean up pack, go to www.
nationalspringclean.org. The pack gives great tips on how to organise a
clean up and how to get others involved. There are also colour-coded bags
for recycling cans and plastic bottles.
In addition, Kildare County Council will assist groups with the provision of
a limited amount of gloves, bags and litter pickers. We can also arrange for
the collected litter to be removed by prior arrangement. Both of these forms
are available on the Council website (go to the environment section and look
in forms).
ips
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save
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5
Green-Schools
Nearly Half Way there!
Out of 130 schools in Kildare, 59 of them now have a Green Flag- that is 45%
of all the schools in the county!
These range from the smallest national school with less than 100 pupils to large
secondary schools with over 600. Another three schools are due for assessment in the
next few weeks so it is likely that before the end of the year over 50% of the schools in
Kildare will have the green flag. This is a great credit to all the schools concerned. If your
school is registered but hasn’t been actively working on getting the flag, or your school
hasn’t registered yet, help is available. Dara Wyer, the environment awareness officer
would be delighted to call to your school to discuss what is required. You can contact
Dara at 045 980588 or email environ@kildarecoco.ie.
EM
BE R NOT TO
Go to www.greenschoolsireland.org for more information.
Scoil Mochua, Celbridge receiving their first green flag.
RE
T
PU
M
In addition, An Taisce, the body that organises the scheme nationally has a very good
website that explains the scheme very well. It also has case studies
from schools in Ireland to show what can be achieved.
S
IN
SE
BIN
•
BATTE RIE
Battery Recycling Scheme
Kildare County Council is delighted to announce that the schools battery recycling scheme will continue into the
foreseeable future. A company called the Recycling Village (based in Louth) will now take over the collection of batteries
from your school. To contact them for collection, call 041 6862366.
YOUR REFU
A new approach to bins!
Robertstown National School and its hard-working Green-schools
committee are to be congratulated on their innovative litter bin
scheme. The school decided it wanted to make the litter bins in the
school and around the village more attractive.
The thinking behind it is that if the bins are attractive and unusual, people will be more
likely to use them. The pupils designed the bins themselves and got a local artist, Peter
Pilkington to help them make the bins. The bins look great- a robin, a toadstool, a
dinosaur and a teddy bear. The bins are holding up well and people are definitely using
them. This is a really good example of people trying to make a positive change in their area
and showing some original thinking in finding a solution to the problem of litter.
6
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tion.net or em
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info@animalfo
Liberties Recycling is a charity that is based on textile recycling to achieve its goals.
This charity (to give it its proper name: Liberties Recycling Training and Development) is
a textiles recycling project that provides people affected by drug use with the stability,
work experience, skills and confidence needed to move into mainstream employment
and/or further training and education within a supportive work environment.
They employ nearly sixty people on a FAS Community Employment Recycling Project. The
course offers a combination of practical work experience, certified training and rehabilitation
services to the trainees.
As part of it's corporate and social responsibility, Kildare County Council has agreed to assist
Liberties Recycling through the provision of a number of sites for textile banks in the northeast
of the county. In addition, Liberties Recycling are also looking for assistance from schools
throughout Kildare. If the school organises a clothes collection for Liberties Recycling, the
school will receive €2 for each full bag. Liberties Recycling can supply collection bags but if the
school supplies the bags they will even pay €2.50 for each full bag.
If you are interested please give them a call at 01
libertiesrecycling.com
4193999 or visit their website: www.
Fairtrade
You may notice when you are shopping that some products like
tea, coffee, sugar, bananas and chocolate carry the Fairtrade logo.
There are even some cotton clothing and footballs that are made
to Fairtrade standard.
Fairtrade is a certification system that aims to achieve better prices, decent
working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and
workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable
prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses
the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against
the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and
have more control over their lives.
It is easy to support this initiative- simply try to buy some of these products
where available, and if not, ask your local shop to supply them. It is very easy
for retailers to access Fairtrade supplies.
For more information, go to
them at 01 475 3515.
www.fairtrade.ie or call
7
Wildlife Notes
Dragonflies
mmer
One of the signs of su
nual
approaching is the an
es. A
appearance of dragonfli
flying
dragonfly is a type of
very
insect. They are
irs of
distinctive with two pa
ngs,
strong transparent wi
come
and a long body. They
lours
in a wide variety of co
llow
from blue to green, ye
and red.
tors that eat
Dragonflies are preda
all insects like
mosquitoes and other sm
butterflies. They
flies, bees, ants and
d lakes, ponds,
are usually found aroun
streams and wetlands.
interesting. The
Their life cycle is very
her eggs in or
female dragonfly lays
ter plants. The
near water, often on wa
into nymphs.
eggs eventually hatch
is spent in the
Most of a dragonfly's life
their large jaws
nymph form. By using
's surface they
from beneath the water
poles and even
can catch insects, tad
land.
fish. Some even hunt on
ge dragonflies
This larval stage of lar
years. In smaller
may last as long as five
last between two
species, this stage may
When the larva
months and three years.
an adult, it climbs
is ready to change into
suitable plant.
up a reed or other
the larvae to
Exposure to air causes
skin splits at a
begin breathing. The
d and the adult
weak spot behind the hea
of its old skin,
dragonfly crawls out
flies off to feed
pumps up its wings, and
adult stage of
on midges and flies. The
can last as
fly
larger species of dragon
long as four months.
Contact
dragonfly have
In Ireland, 22 species of
gest dragonfly in
been recorded. The lar
Rica and is over
the world lives in Costa
gtip to wingtip.
seven inches from win
r dragonfly lived
However, the largest eve
kily, scientists
millions of years ago. Luc
this giant- it
have found fossils of
a half feet from
measured over two and
are fearsome
wing to wing! They
ir prey on the
predators, catching the
s in Austalia has
wing. In fact, one specie
miles per hourbeen timed flying at 36
ito to avoid a
very difficult for a mosqu
dragonfly at that speed!
Kildare County Council, Environment Section,
Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare
Tel: 045 980588
Email: environ@kildarecoco.ie
Fax: 045 980587
Web: www.kildare.ie/countycouncil
Litter Hotline: 1800 243 143
8
g dragonflies,
When it comes to helpin
er can do is dig
the best thing a garden
young can only
a pond. Because the
ential that they
grow in water it is ess
ter that has a
have a supply of clean wa
Suitable plants
range of plants in it.
well as yellow
would include rushes, as
ng plants.
flag irises, and oxygenati
downers that
Farmers and other lan
h as rivers,
have water features suc
manage the
ponds or canals should
to reduce any
land beside the water
chance of pollution.