Douglas Biodiversity Action Plan

Douglas Tidy Towns has been working closely with ecologists from Wild Work – SECAD  over the last two years on the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan for the Douglas area.  The project included detailed habitat mapping and site surveys, the datasets for which have been incorporated into records maintained by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.  We then worked on the development of recommendations for action and liaison with key stakeholders regarding those actions.  This work was funded by the Community Foundation for Ireland and with the support and encouragement of Cork City Council.

We are delighted that this Biodiversity Action Plan has now been completed.  The plan (in line with the Council’s draft Heritage and Biodiversity Plan) sets out a series of realistic and practical actions to protect, conserve and manage our Natural Heritage and Biodiversity over the next five years.  Section 4 focuses on the Actions proposed and we look forward to the support of the Douglas Community in progressing these actions.

You can find a copy of the plan here: http://douglastidytowns.ie/wp-content/uploads/Douglas-Biodiversity-Action-Plan-2022-27.pdf

WildWork also produced a number of educational videos which can be found here:
http://douglastidytowns.ie/douglas-biodiversity-action-plan/

WE ARE BACK!

As of May 4 outdoor workers were all able to return to work, which means we can return to all our activities this weekend. We meet at the Community Park by the Tidy Town’s shed each Saturday weather permitting. ALL WELCOME!!! Please note the following protocols which will help to keep us all well:

  • The start time is staggered between 10 and 10:30 am
  • Masks must be worn when gathering around the shed
  • Physical distancing must be practiced and no more than two people working together
  • A Tidy Town’s Hi-vis vest must be worn.

Back in Action: Dec 5th

WIth the easing of restrictions we will be back in action on Saturday, Dec 5th. Meet as usual at 10.30 am in the Douglas Community Centre car park.

We will then be active again on Dec 12 before we go on our Christmas break till Saturday, January 9th.

Message to our volunteers: Level 5 lockdown

With the upcoming weekend being a holiday weekend, we would not have been meeting up.  Unfortunately, because of the move to Level 5 restrictions, we will not now be able to meet again for Saturday activities until the restrictions are lifted on 1 December. 
During the last lockdown many of you picked litter close to your home and you should be able to do this again as part of your permitted exercise.  As we know from last time, litter doesn’t stop just because we are in lockdown!  While we cannot organise anything formal, if you plan to continue to pick up litter local to you, please could you confirm (by text or email) the area you will be in so that we can try and cover as much of the Douglas area as we can. If replying by text, please put your name at the end of your message so that we can identify you! Many thanks.
We will return on Saturday 5 December (fingers crossed!) and also go out on Saturday 12 December. Again unfortunately due to COVID-19, we will be unable to have our annual Christmas lunch, which would normally be in mid-December.
Usually we take a break for the month of January, but this year, given we have missed so many Saturdays, we thought we would return earlier – on Saturday 9 January.
There has also been some discussion about the possibility of a big clean up (e.g. somewhere like Doman’s Wood (or similar), where we could easily social distance) between Christmas and New Year – could be as a family event –  if people are interested.  Again, please let us know if you are interested in this – we will check in again on this when we are back in December.
Many thanks to you all for your hard work through what has been a challenging year.

Heritage Week 2019

We have again organised a few events for this year’s Heritage Week. A short description of these events and links to more detailed information can be found below.

Habitat Mapping Workshop, August 17

This is your chance to learn about habitat mapping and participate in the development of the Douglas Biodiversity Plan. The workshop will be led by Karen Loxton from Wild Work (SECAD).

https://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/event/habitat-mapping-workshop

Come foraging in the Mangala, August 21

Join herbalist, botanist and ecologist Jo Goodyear from Blackrock Herbal Clinic on a foraging walk through the Mangala and learn about the wide variety of edible plants in our locality.

https://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/event/come-foraging-in-the-mangala

Douglas Historical Walking Tour, August 23

Join Cllr Kieran McCarthy for a historical walking tour of Douglas.

https://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/event/douglas-and-its-history