The Kerry Biosphere was delighted to host author and company director, Féidhlim Harty on a webinar focussing on nature based solutions for water managment. Our webinar was held on the morning of Thursday 21st November. The webinar provided fascinating insights into the alternative, eco-friendly methods for wastewater and stormwater management.
The Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve hosted an 'Introduction to the Kerry Biosphere Reserve' webinar on Monday 18th November. The webinar was predominantly aimed at the Advisory Council for the reserve, but was open to the general public. The webinar was well attended and well recieved.
We will be hosting an online webinar to provide a background to the Kerry Biosphere reserve. The webinar will focus on the designation of the reserve, the significance of the designation, and functions of the Biosphere.
We are thrilled to have secured Féidhlim Harty from FH Wetland Systems to deliver a webinar on Nature Based Solutions (NBS) for stormwater / wastewater management. Féidhlim will be joining us online as part of our Rainwater Planter Initiative, with further in-person workshops being scheduled for later in the year and in early 2025. Féidhlim is an author and Director of FH Wetland Systems, a company that specialises in reed bed system design and other eco-friendly sewage options.
With the busy month of October wrapped up for another year, the Biosphere's focus is closing out the year with strong communication. In support of this, we will be hosting a free webinar aimed at providing an insight into the Biosphere and it's functions. The webinar may also provide attendees with a link between their group / organisation and the Biosphere and identify where the reserve can support local communities.
It has been a busy few months in the Kerry Biosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed our Autumn Garthering back in September, a great way to kickstart the autumn. The diversity of events added extra interest in this years efforts, from guided bird walks, beach walks, and woodland outings, to upland and mountainous recreation walks and creative entomology. Fast forward two months and are Rainwater Planter initiative is well underway, our Bats of Irelands colouring books have been printed and have been a roaring success, our Lesser Horseshoe Bat sculpture is on tour, and our primary schools bat calendar is in print.
We are delighted with the final product of our 'Bats of Ireland' colouring book funded through Creative Ireland / Kerry County Council Arts Creative Communities. With beautiful imagery produced by local artist and author Katie O'Donoghue, and informative yext from the Biosphere's Brendan Kirwan, the book has something for everyone.
We are delighted to invite you to our Harvest Gathering Weekend in Kerry, hosted by The Kerry Biosphere, Transition Kerry and Kerry County Council.
This is a weekend event filled with connection, inspiration and immersion in nurturing places with talks, walks and workshops in various locations, there is something for everyone.
The Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve together with Kerry County Council were delighted to launch their new ‘Bats of the Kerry Biosphere’ colouring book in the Garden Room at Killarney House on Saturday afternoon. The colouring book is awash with detailed images of Ireland’s bats and the habitats that support them. The imagery in the colouring book was created by local artist and author Katie O’Donoghue. The colouring books will be made available to schools and libraries around the County with thanks to Biodiversity Officer with Kerry County Council, Eleanor Turner.
Engaging art to save a Species – Working together to help Irelands Bats
The Lesser Horseshoe bat is one of nine bat species found in Ireland. Unfortunately, it is one of our most endangered. It is now found in only 6 counties in Ireland along the western’s seaboard.
According to the Species Action pan for the Lesser Horseshoe bat developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service: Habitat fragmentation and loss of roost sites are the two biggest factors resulting in the reduction of numbers and range of our Lesser Horseshoe Bats.
The Lesser Horseshoe Bat is photophobic, it doesn’t like bright lights, and its preferred feeding habitat is broadleaf woodland making Killarney National Park and excellent habitat for this species in danger.
