It's National Biodiversity Week, a celebration of the variety of nature and what it brings us each day of the year. It’s all about connecting you with nature. It’s about communicating the importance of biodiversity and providing motivation to play your part in protecting it.
And Biodiversity is something that’s threaded through almost every episode of Ecolution, From the very beginning as episode one talked bees and forest schools, way back in 2019.
To celebrate the week and give you a nice easy way to delve into the podcast here are just a few episodes that scratch the surface of biodiversity, its fragility, but also its resilience.
Embrace the Dark
In this first episode of the new season we headed to Wild Nephin National Park in Co Mayo. A haven for wildlife and a certified Dark Sky Park, it's the perfect place to explore nature after dark. From nocturnal creatures to the Night Owl crew - get ready to go wild… in the dark!
Rollin' on a river...
In this episode we looked at Ireland’s waterways. We visit the Camac River in Clondalkin with Aileen and Sabrina of Globe Ireland and fourth class from Clonburris NS. Hear from Antoin McDermott of SWAN about the state of these waters. And discuss a tiny creature pushed to the edge of extinction in the River Nore with artist Mary Conroy.
Dr Jane Goodall
In this episode Evie got to chat to a giant amongst us. Dr Jane Goodall answers kids questions on chimpanzees, Nature loss and all that young people can do. As well as her "Roots’n’Shoots" programme. It’s a big episode. You can see the whole interview on youtube too.
Birds of a feather
Birds are one of the most visible, and audible members of the biosphere that surround us. But they are in serious trouble. We spoke to Niamh Fitzgerald of Birdwatch Ireland, Birders in Kilkenny and kids across the country to see why they’re in decline and ask what we can do to help.
Buzz Click Rattle
A double-header episode to celebrate Biodiversity Week and World Bee Day together. We sent intrepid bug explorers Sadhbh and Rosa to the Bee Sanctuary with Meadow as a guide. Andf, we meet Collie Ennis in his Critter Shed, and investigate why bees and insects are so vital to our planet.
Can we go wild?
This episode asks can rewilding help in slowing the climate crisis? We’re joined by Dr Una Fitzpatrick of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. Padraig Fogarty discusses the big plans contained in Shaping New Mountains. Plus Ray O’Foghlu talks rewilding, land and wild woods.
And there are so many more episodes for you to enjoy too on RTÉ, Apple or Spotify.
National Biodiversity Week is organised by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), with thanks to funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Events are run by IEN member groups, as well as by Heritage Officers and other local groups.
