Page 2, The Irish Times, Wednesday, May 23, 2007

By Seán Mac Connell, Agriculture Correspondent

A huge percentage of Irish children can identify fewer than 10 species of Irish animals and plants but can recognise thousands of commercial logos, a conference heard yesterday.

Dr. Matthew Jebb, taxonomist at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, told a climate and biodiversity symposium at Cultivate in Dublin's Temple Bar that he suspected the same was true of Irish adults.

"We need a huge education programme here to explain to our people how important biodiversity is to all of us," he told the symposium called to mark International Biodiversity Day.

Irish Times subscribers can read more at: www.ireland.com

By The Irish Yoga Association

Yoga is the holistic development of the individual. It has been called awareness of life, personal development, the journey into Self or to be simply human.

The word Yoga is taken from the Sanskirt meaning union with the Source… to unite, to join, to integrate. We need to become aware that as human beings we are made of dimensions. We have a body that needs developing, a mind that needs nurturing and an inner space that needs exploring. To live fully in ones being, to experience this human life in its entirety, to reach our full potential as human beings, is the journey of Yoga.

By Mary Grant

Aromatherapy involves the use of distilled aromatic essential oils obtained from plants. These work with the body's natural processes: as pro-biotic agents; through the limbic system and the sense of smell; on a spiritual level, through action on the energetic field or aura of the person.

While practices surrounding the use of essential oils go back at least 5,000 years, the term was coined by a French Chemist, Gattefosse (cf.: Aromatherapie, 1928.) Scientific aromatherapy grew from his pioneering work, today it bears little resemblance to the original as research involves synthetic and 'nature identical' oils.

By Marion Bellow

Craniosacral Therapy acknowledges the deepest roots and highest potentials of the human system. Within this system is the concept of an intelligent life force, transmitted throughout the body via its fluid systems. The rhythmic tide-like fluctuation of cerebrospinal fluid and body fluids generally is known as the Craniosacral Motion or Primary Respiratory Impulse. This maintains the body's vitality and constitutional energy and its healing resources.

By Carmel O'Connor

Based on oriental practices over 4000 years old, Feng Shui, is now becoming more recognised in the West as an art which creates balance and harmony in the environment. Feng Shui has mistakenly been seen as another form of interior design.

Ms. Marie O'Malley, Manager the Rural Development Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, UCD. 

The term "rural development" can better be understood by defining it as the development of rural areas and the people who live therein. This simple interpretation helps us to realise that rural development is ultimately about people and communities. Primarily it is about people who live in rural areas but not exclusively so, as the relationships and interdependence between rural and urban becomes more and more apparent in an era of commuting workers. Development of rural areas is multi-sectoral in that it views the progress not just in terms of better health or better roads but as the whole system with the success of one sector closely associated with success in another. For example, rural development depends just as much on improvements in the health sector as it does on progress in areas of education, income/employment and roads infrastructure.

By Declan Hammond

Homoeopathy is a therapeutic medical science which holistically treats physical, emotional and mental illness by applying the principle of "like cures like". It is a powerful, yet gentle, form of healing that respects the wisdom of the body/mind and recognises that symptoms of ill health are expressions of an underlying imbalance in the patient's energy. Cure and ultimately a state of health is attained by using, individually prescribed, minute quantities of specially prepared natural remedies. These are capable of stimulating deep healing responses, without any of the worrying toxicity of conventional medication.

Sunday 30th September  | Capparoe, Scariff, Co. Clare | T: (061) 921866 / 921856 | Admission Members: €5.  Non-Members: €10, Children Free | www.irishseedsavers.ie

Celebrate the apple harvest by tasting and juicing native Irish apples. 

• Bring your own and a bottle and we will juice it for you
• Get advice on creating an orchard
• Apple, pear and soft fruit sales
• Full organic café all day
• Slowfood talk and walk in gardens
• Cooking with local foods & apples

By Irish Reflexologist' Institute

Reflexology is a simple, non-evasive, and effective form of healing. It is a science that deals with the principles that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to all the glands, organs and parts of the body. By applying pressure with the thumbs or fingers to these reflex points, a qualified practitioner can alleviate or treat a range of conditions - stress, sinus problems, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine etc.

By Richard Douthwaite 

Gold had a big advantage in the days when it was used as money: anyone could obtain it. All they had to do was to find a bed of gravel containing nuggets beside a stream or a vein of gold-bearing quartz in a cliff-face and set to work to convert their time and energy, plus a certain amount of bought-in supplies, into something that was exchangeable for goods and services all over the world.

Your help is needed for a short film project called "Turn It off" which details the adventures of a number of 'light creatures'. The underlying message of the piece is an ecological one: the creatures are unhappy with the amount of energy being wasted in Dublin and set out to make themselves heard.

More information about the project is here:  turnitoffproject.wordpress.com/about

We are currently drawing up a list of buildings in Dublin city centre that waste energy by leaving their lights on overnight.  f you have noticed any let us know, take a photo if you can and email it to turnitoffproject@gmail.com. We will then put the photo on our blog..

The Irish Wildlife Trust host Premier Screening of “PLAY AGAIN”

Thursday 10th March 2011 | 6.30pm | The Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield | Admission is €9 for adults / €7.50 concession | Contact the Light House Cinema Box Office at 01- 8797601 to reserve your ticket

This includes a reception on arrival and discussion panel after the film with renowned educator Paddy Madden M.A., (Marino Institute), Wildlife Artist Gordon D’Arcy and Sarah O’Malley B.A. (Environmental Education Researcher, UCG).

To launch their Primary School Adventure Programme, Irish Wildlife Trust have brought the award winning film “PLAY AGAIN” to Ireland. This will be the first time this unique film has been shown in Ireland. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in education, nature or our society in general to understand some of the challenges facing today’s youth.

By Darra Malloy

Today there is a paradoxical shift away from organised religion yet towards spirituality. The growth of interest in Celtic spirituality, not just in Ireland but also around the world, has been phenomenal. Many people who continue to go to church feel dissatisfied and undernourished spiritually and are searching for something compensatory. Others have left their traditional religious practices and are either floundering in a wilderness searching for an oasis, or are piecing together bits from various traditions both East and West and creating their own spiritual collage.

6th and 7th October 2007 |  CELT - Centre for Environmental Living and Training  | Bealkelly Wood,  Tuamgraney,  Co.Clare | Course fee €130 (2 days) | Annual Membership (required) €15

Learn a new skill!

Choose from 17 different courses in traditional and ecological skills (read more for detail)

Free camping available (basic facilities) | Full details and On-line booking: www.celtnet.org | (Send fee to confirm place)  

Link to Issue # 002, December 2007

Link to read the latest issue of Glenisk's MoosLetter:  Expert yoga advice from celebrity trainer Pat Henry, an interview with top model and organic fan Vivienne Connolly, tips on how to survive Christmas with small children from their resident iMoo psychologist, David Coleman, plus tasty recipes; introducing the delicious new Strong Woman Yogurt, find out more about Glenisk's farmers and adopt your very own farm animal.

Health Creation:  101 The Willows | Abberley | Killiney | Co. Dublin | healthcreation.eu | 087 6845 735

Why is there less osteoporosis in societies that eat diets low in dairy?

Many societies around the world that eat low-dairy, low-calcium and low-protein diets have stronger bones than we do in the West and osteoporosis is virtually non-existent!  An African woman can have 10 babies, nurse each of them for 10 months and still be expected to have strong solid bones when she reaches the age of 70, bones which are comparable to those of young women in America. There are many misconceptions in our society about nutrition, often as a result of intensive marketing campaigns by food industries. Osteoporosis is one such topic and we aim to clarify this misconception.

Feasta is looking for new premises as soon as possible. We need one office room (and preferably the use of a meeting room, large enough to seat 12 in Dublin city centre or close by. Ideally we would join with another environmental organisation. If you have access to or know of any such place, please contact Feasta via email or by phone at 01 4053615. 

Also... You can now download the Feasta lecture from Sept 19th on Peak Oil: The End of Economic Growth by Charles Hall. Charles Hall has developed the concept of EROI, or energy return on investment, and this lecture focuses on the past, present and future energy cost of energy itself, and how that is likely to effect investments, economic growth and discretionary spending. 

coopireland.org

Coop Ireland is a new media & marketing cooperative dedicated to creating a media platform for the Green business sector and a comprehensive information source for the general public on sustainable living. The Coop is currently compiling The National Green Pages. 250,000 copies of The Green Pages will be distributed free of charge to homes and businesses and the publication will be a definitive reference source for living and working in a sustainable manner.

We have a number of telemarketing vacancies and wish to recruit experienced representatives to work on a part-time or full-time basis with the option of working from home.

If you are interested please forward your CV to jobs@coopireland.org or call Don at Lo-call 1890 927670

National Strategies for Dealing with Ireland's Debt Crisis

Thursday 22nd - Friday 23rd September 2011 | 13.00 - 17.30 | Mont Clare Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin

Ireland's current national economic and monetary strategy has been described as 'relying on the kindness of strangers'. Very few alternatives to the current policy have been properly explored. There are plausible reasons for this - the fear of an adverse market response, the lack of intellectual leadership, perhaps the vested interests of the status quo. Whatever the reason, alternative strategies that Ireland could adopt to deal with its unprecedented debt crisis need to be fully explored and debated. Feasta's autumn conference will examine measures that this country could adopt to secure its economic future which do not leave it reliant on external factors, largely outside of its control.

By Joseph Kearney

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness in which the client is both alert and aware, and in full control of his or her words and actions at all times. It is a means of bypassing the conscious mind's critical factor with its argumentative nature and directly contacting the subconscious mind where modifications in attitude and behaviour can be achieved. The experience is enjoyably relaxing and effective and safe.

South Circular Rd and Place Avenue, Dolphins Barn, D8 | email | website

We meet in the garden on Tuesday and Thursdays from 7pm and on Saturdays from 3pm. All are welcome.

Over the last 6 months 20 local residents in the Dolphin's Barn/Rialto area of Dublin city have been involved in sourcing and imagining a new local community food garden. Seoidin O'Sullivan, a Community Artist in residence in Studio 468, St Andrews Community Center, Rialto, invited the Canal Community Gardeners, a voluntary organisation to make use of her studio to discuss the potential for a legitimate community garden for the local area. ST Salvage kindly donated a temporary site for the project which is on the corner of South Circular Rd and Place Avenue, Dolphins Barn, D8. This site was once a car park but has not been used for last 24 years, so from car park to garden.

TI Ireland is the Irish affiliate of Transparency International (TI), the leading international non-governmental organisation exclusively focussed on combating corruption worldwide.

Saturday 16th to Sunday 24th of July 2011 | Cork City & County

Join us for a 9-day celebration of bicycle culture run by a group of bike enthusiasts who want to share the freedom of cycling in Cork. Our motivation is to encourage people to try life on two wheels and promote Cork as a great place to cycle.  Cycling is fast, trendy, planet-friendly, and healthy – it’s a hobby, a sport and the most efficient form of transport ever invented. 

Cycle Chic will take place late on Saturday 16th at night to maximise the impact of high-visibility accessories and our unique Cyglo tyres. Please help this event as well as a RE:CYCLE cinema happen by contributing at Fund it :: Cycle Chic Fashion Show.   Cycle Chic was conceived by Belfast Rain artist Joanna Karolini, whose ingenious and stylish up-cycled Rain Skirts are as eye-catching as they are effective. Rain Skirts are each uniquely hand-picked, hand-cut and hand-made; all from colourful and quality tents. Read more...

By Diana Cassidy a Shiatsu practitioner.

Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning finger pressure. In practice, the giver uses fingers, thumbs, sometimes elbows and knees, and always concentrated focus and sensitivity, to ensure that the treatment will accurately meet and enhance the receivers life-force.

International development charity VSO will be holding information events in Dublin over the coming weeks for people interested in volunteering in Africa and Asia.

If you're a qualified professional with experience in the education, health business or NGO sectors, then this could be what you're looking for...

Volunteering abroad is a life changing experience for both volunteers and the people they share their skills with. We need people to work overseas for 1-2 years, assisting disadvantaged people to build up their own businesses, improve their IT skills, and  improve educational and nursing standards.

The upcoming VSO information events will take place as follows:

All are welcome to an informative evening held in conjunction with the Dublin Food Co Op on Thursday the 29th of November.

Slow Food are asking people to arrive at the Dublin Food Co Op for 7:30pm which should allow enough time to have a look around the products on offer, such as organic fruit and vegetables, bread and a range of organic whole foods, and the chance to buy a cup of coffee or tea.  Talks and film clips will follow (see detail below).

At 8pm on the 29 March millions of people around the world will use the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

For more info:

www.earthhour.org

THE NATURAL STEP is an agreement between scientists, industrialists and public officials based on four system conditions for sustainability. It is derived from universally accepted principles of thermodynamics and evolutionary biology. Companies such as IKEA and Electrolux have developed products in co-operation with the Natural Step.

Web: www.yoga-healing.com Tel.086-8242033 Email: springintolife@yoga-healing.com

Body & Soul - Ongoing group

Every second Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 in Sandyford Village

Let go of expectations and trust as we stretch, breathe, dance, relax, unwind, meditate and open the channel of our creativity in a self-supporting group where we learn to practice movement medicine and writing as a meditation practice and where active listening to your own inner world as well as to each other form the essence of this healing and nurturing time dedicated to coming home into your own centre..No experience needed.... just a willingness to be open and receptive.

YOGA HOLIDAY IN PORTUGAL

from Saturday JULY 4th to Saturday JULY 11th 2009 | Quinta Mimosa, Algarve (more... )

How to lead a group in self-organising a 1 to 3 day conference or short workshops

Thursday, June 26th 2008 | DTalk @ Kimmage | www.dtalk.ie

Course Aim and Objectives
Participants will engage in a participatory meeting design methodology called ‘Open Space’, with focus on learning to facilitate such a meeting themselves.

By the end of the course participants will have:

• Discovered a way of creating structure out of chaos (that is, a practical way of organising a group to get work done on the strategic needs of the moment)
• Experienced an Open Space meeting and how to hold one
• Worked on invitations and designs for using or adapting Open Space in situations of their choice
• Tapped the experience of a diverse and talented group 

By Patrick McAfee

Stone as a building material has been used continuously in Ireland for over 5,000 years. Some of the earliest work is also the finest, such as seen at Newgrange, County Meath and much later but still a long time ago, in the Early Christian period at the Oratory of Gallarus, County Kerry. Up to the Christian period all work was in dry stone. After that, lime mortar, a Roman technology, was introduced.

Ballymun Regeneration cordially invites you...

Friday 2nd May 2008 | 2pm |  €50.00 | RSVP 28th April 2008 | Places limited so booking essential | greenerballymun@brl.ie |  087 329 6932 | Civic Centre, Main St., Ballymun, D9

The ‘Greener Ballymun’ conference will highlight positive environmental projects initiated under the regeneration programme.  Ministerial Address by Mr John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.  Keynote Speaker, Duncan Stewart, Ecological Architect and Environmentalist

Conference topics include:

• Innovative Waste Management Solutions
• Energy and Environmental Improvements through Building Design
• Urban Biodiversity
• Balancing Economic Development and Environmental Protection

The conference will conclude with the Rediscover Fashion Show compered by Caroline Morahan, Fashionista and TV Presenter.  For further details see www.rediscoverycentre.ie

PLANNING AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME?

8 Week Night Course (20hrs) | Thursdays 7.00 – 9.30p.m. |  Commencing 20th September | €165 | St. John's College, Cork

This increasingly popular CPD accredited night-course highlights the importance of sustainable building and also equips the learner with an understanding of the various methods involved. This course will benefit architects, builders, engineers, tradesmen and covers essential knowledge for anybody wishing to build their own home.

Thursday 17th December 2009 | 8pm til late | POD, Harcourt St., Dublin | Details at www.dublincycling.ie

Join us for a celebration of the rejuvenation of cycling in Irish towns and cities.  2009 has seen a striking increase in cycling numbers in Dublin City. It is due to many factors but not least the continuous, often behind-the-scenes, lobbying efforts of the Dublin Cycling Campaign.  The National Cycling Policy was published this year and the City Bikes Schemes launched successfully.  Bike sales are up in all of the bike shops.  Come join the cyclists and celebrate in the Pod at the Bicycle Christmas Party.

IT Carlow and the Design Ireland Skillnet has developed a Certificate (Level 9) in Sustainable Design Innovation | More detail: online | PDF  

Starting Date: When the bookings are sufficient

Primarily this course aims to up skill practicing design professionals in the area of Sustainable Design Practice (SDP).  Likely students on this programme would typically be designers, design managers, marketing managers and other business managers with responsibility for new product development (NPD), company strategy and design.  Those interested in developing capacity in sustainable design and innovation as a business opportunity would also benefit from this programme.

Programme fee: €900. The cost through the Design Ireland Skillnet Membership programme is €450 per person, a subsidy of 50%. See www.designireland.ie for details. Non-membership rate is €900 per person.

Duration: 5 weeks-proposed for Saturdays 10 am - 1pm | 10 x 3 hour workshop/lectures/mentoring sessions and independent

Alternative Health and Medicine Ireland lets you find an Irish Alternative Practitioner, Course, Shop or Seminar with ease.  They will also keep you informed with related TCM Health Articles.

They have just launched new Alternative Health Forum boards. Everyone is welcome to join in the chat to create a welcoming atmosphere where all can get together and discuss the latest goings-on with other like-minded people. 

Peter Barnes, author of Capitalism 3.0 and Climate Solutions: A Citizens Guide

November 13th 2007 | Emmet Theatre, the Arts Block, Trinity College at 7.30 pm

This year's speaker is successful US social entrepreneur and author Peter Barnes. Peter's work explores how a "cap and rebate" system is our best bet for an ethical and economic framework to stabilise the climate. His previous career has ranged from setting up one of the first solar energy companies in California to pioneering the use of charity credit cards and ethical phone services at www.workingassets.com.

Peter Gaynor

Jackie and Emma in North Mayo, are urgently looking for volunteers to help with the completion of the cob/cordwood walls in their new house.

They have been doing most of the work themselves over the last four months but now with the weather turning and the days for drying getting shorter they would appreciate some extra hands for the last few weeks. Once the walls are completed they can be protected for the winter. Anyone interested please phone Jackie and Emma on 096 45353.

8 & 9 September | Further details 087 632 3297 | Clarion Hotel, near Dublin Airport |  www.thejourney.com

In 1992, Brandon Bays participated in her own healing from a football sized tumour with no drugs and no surgery!  Accessing the body's own innate wisdom,  Brandon was guided on an inner healing journey,  which lead her to a traumatic childhood memory, which she was able to clear completely on a cellular level. The body is  an amazing healing machine which when cleared of past hurts can heal effortlessly, spontaneously, cellularly, and scientifically!

The repeatable Journey Process techniques outlined in her international bestselling book "The Journey" are so simple, effective and practical that people worldwide are freeing themselves of all manner of physical and emotional illnesses, life threatening or otherwise.  This amazing work is now available to us here in Ireland and if you'd like to learn this truly life-changing work, we invite you to attend our weekend workshop. 

Come experience the Ecovillage... as it is being created

23-24 June 2012 | Cloughjordan Ecovillage | More info / Bookings

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