LIMERICK City is to host Ireland’s first ever ‘Urban BioBlitz’ from 5pm on Friday August 23 to 5pm on Saturday August 24.
Hosted by Limerick City Council, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns Group and the National Biodiversity Data Base Centre, the event aims to identify and document wildlife species, from butterflies and birds to flowers and fungi, over a 24-hour period.
Sinead McDonnell, environment awareness officer with Limerick City Council said: “The primary aim of the BioBlitz is to promote the abundance of animal and plant life in Limerick City and in doing so increase public awareness of the importance of biodiversity in urban areas.”
Members of the public can volunteer to record the wildlife that they see around Limerick City during the 24-hours.
The recording sheets can be returned to the Urban BioBlitz Hub at the Limerick City Gallery of Art, Pery Square on or before 4.00pm on Saturday where they will be inputted into the National Biodiversity Data Base Centre’s records database.
A Bat Talk by NPWS Conservation Ranger, Elaine Keegan will take place in a city location at 7.15pm on Friday. On Saturday, there will be a moth viewing and trapping event in the People’s Park and Westfields at 11.30am followed by art workshops in the Hub (Limerick City Art Gallery) from midday to 1.30pm.
A birds of prey display will be held in the Peoples Park from 11.30am to 3.30pm.
Anyone interested in participating can email smcdonnell@limerickcity.ie.
