ESD Forum Website

Hope you all had a nice summer break and are ready for another winter's work. Our Queen’s ESD day is on the 15th October, I am currently starting to get things in place for that. If you want anything (news, events etc) put on the website do feel free to contact me. I can be contacted at iona@nienvironmentlink.org. Our website address will be www.esdforum.org.uk. It is good to note that our website stats have gone up and I hope with keeping the website up to date they will rise even further.

The Mixed Up Beast

Pupils from Class Bn Uí Neill, St Mary's Primary School, Pomeroy have been involved in a recycled arts project. Helped by artists Jon Kelly (Genevieve Jon Designs) and Majella Flanagan (Any Bright Ideas), the 8 pupils designed and built The Mixed up Beast. It is an exciting sculpture that mixes aspects of reptiles, birds and the Loch Ness Monster but used plastic bottles, bottle caps, cardboard, willow and even a stop cock from an old cistern to create the piece.

The workshop set out to consider rubbish as a resource for creativity, teamwork, communication skills and learning while having fun.

The workshop ran over 3 days, a very short length of time. The high standard of the final piece is clear evidence of the commitment by the children and staff for teamwork and ingenuity. For more information on this and other arts projects, contact Majella Flanagan, arts@anybrightideas.eu.

Green Living Fair 2010 - Castle Espie 11th - 12th September

Eleven years on from the first event of its kind in Ireland, this year's Green Living Fair brings together a wide range of workshops, exhibitors, talks and events to explore the theme of sustainability.

Promoting grassroots action on topics such as slow food, renewable energy, ecological design and fair trade the organisers still hope the Fair gives visitors permission to think differently. See the full programme at: http://www.wwt.org.uk/files/Castle-Espie/CastleEspieGreenLiving.pdf.

Brighter Belfast Environmental Awards 2010
 
Are you helping to make Belfast a brighter place in 2010? Yes? Then you need to get your entry in before Monday 27th September 2010.

Now is the chance to reward you or your group for making a contribution to improving Belfast’s environment. We want you to tell us how your hard work has helped to make your local area a cleaner, greener place.

No matter how small your efforts seem they may have made a big difference! So if you think that you are helping to make Belfast brighter enter now! Just look at the categories below to see which relates to you.

Award categories

•    Clean and green award - projects to reduce litter and help raise awareness.
 
•    Reduce, reuse, recycle award - projects to reduce waste and help raise awareness.
 
•    Business and community partnership award - businesses that have carried out a local environmental improvement programme in partnership with a group, individual or school.

•    Nature conservation award - creating or maintaining a wildlife habitat, conservation or garden area which benefits the community.

•    Judges' special award - applicants who have gone above and beyond all expectations in promoting and caring for Belfast’s environment.

Projects which qualify for an award should have started/be taking place between September 2008 and September 2010. If you or your group is successful you will receive £500 along with a crystal trophy celebrating your achievement.

The closing date for applications is 4pm Monday 27th September 2010.

For more information or to apply online visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/brighterbelfast or for an application pack contact the Brighter Belfast Awards Team on 028 9032 0202 (extension) 5422 or email: catcleansing@belfastcity.gov.uk.  

Join the Forum

Are you interested or involved in environmental education? Then why not consider joining the Forum? Membership is open to all organisations and individuals, and fees are based on a band system. As well as being part of a major network of environmental education providers, you will benefit from: a quarterly newsletter, regular e-bulletins, conferences (2 per year), University ESD Days, support and publicity for your work and much more!

For more information on the ESD Forum or how to join please contact Iona Meyer, on: 028 9045 5770, email: iona@nienvironmentlink.org or visit www.esdforum.org.uk.