Just in case you didn’t know, today is International Day for Biological Diversity. The purpose of the day is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Wexford was not found wanting in celebrating the day thanks to our friends in the Wexford Naturalists Field Club. There is nothing they like better than delving into and singing the praises of the county’s rich natural heritage. To honour the occasion WNFC lined up Dave Daly, Zoë Devlin, Alan McGuire and Chris Wilson to lead guided walks exploring the natural history of Wexford Town. The walks (there were two groups) took in the old town walls, the graveyards, Selskar Abbey, the back lanes, the quays, the old jail on Hill Street (swift boxes), and the skies above us. To cap it all the weather this evening was glorious. What better way to spend a Summer evening.

The United Nations has designated May 22 as International Day for Biological Diversity. The purpose of the day is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues with the theme this year “Water and Biodiversity”. This, of course, is music to the ears of our friends at the Wexford Naturalists Field Club the aim of which is to promote, enjoy and celebrate all aspects of the county’s rich natural heritage. To honour the occasion WNFC has lined up Dave Daly, Zoë Devlin, Alan McGuire and Chris Wilson to lead a guided walk exploring the natural history of Wexford Town. Meet 7pm at Rowe Street Church car park. To take part one must be a member of WNFC (join now!) or a guest.

Alan and Chris are part of the team, along with Don Conroy, behind WildSide, an independent group devoted to observing, celebrating, and promoting, our natural world and wildlife. Zoë Devlin is the published of ‘Wildflowers of Ireland – A personal Record’ (www.wildflowersofireland.net). Dave Daly is a celebrated wildlife artist who has just been elected to the prestigious Water Colour Society of Ireland (www.davedalyartist.com). Both Alan and Dave are members of our own Biodiversity Committee.

National Biodiversity Week takes place this year May 18-26, with the UN International Day of Biodiversity being celebrated on 22nd May. This year the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has designated a theme of Water & Biodiversity for 2013.

This will be Ireland’s 7th annual celebration of National Biodiversity week and its aim is to create awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to better understand its value to the local, national and international community.

While you should look out for events happening in your area you might also get it out there and do it for yourself! Next time you bring the kids for a walk take binoculars and a notebook to record sightings of birds/butterflies. And, on your walk, take note of any of the “dirty dozen” invasive species you can spot.

There are other little things you can do such as letting a part of your lawn go wild (cut grass only in Spring and Autumn); putting a “bee inn” or “insect hotel” at the bottom of your garden.