24th, 25th & 27th August | Airfield | Places are limited; please book in advance | 01 298 4301

Heritage Walks and Talks

24th - A history talk on the Overend family with photographs from the Airfield archive
25th - Tour of the ornamental gardens with head gardener, Emer O’Reillly
27th - Nature walk examining a native hedgerow

Friday 5th June | 9.30 - 16.00 | Lifetime Lab | Cork

 €195 | 10% discount for ÉASCA members | Bookings: training@dwme.ie

To coincide with the introduction of smart metering and SEI renewable energy grants, DWEcoCo invites you to a One-day training course in micro-generation.

The workshop will be led by Xavier Dubuisson, Senior Sustainable Design Consultant at DWECoCo Ltd. Xavier is one of Ireland’s leading renewable energy consultants with over 11 years experience in renewable energy technologies, including lecturing at CIT.

Join people all over the world on December 6th and 'Ring the Changes'

Saturday December 6th marks the Global Action Day Against Climate Change coinciding with the United Nations Climate Talks in Poznan, Poland, December 1st to 12th 2008. Events will be held around the world on Saturday December 6th to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change. In Ireland at 2pm people will get involved by ringing bells in their communities to 'Ring the Changes' and herald in a new era of urgent action on climate change.

http://www.earthhour.org/   |  8:30PM Saturday 28 March 2009

Earth Hour 2009 is set to switch off the globe. Already 377 cities, and double the number of countries that participated in 2008, are committed. With hundreds more cities expected to sign up to switch off in the coming months, Earth Hour 2009 is setting the platform for an unprecedented global mandate for action on climate change.

Earth Hour 2009 is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to take responsibility and to get involved in working towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to The Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world will turn off their lights and join together in creating the vital conversation about the future of our precious planet.

Learning to respond to Climate Change and Oil Depletion

Tuesdays from 9th Oct to 11th Dec | 7.30-9.30pm | €200

This popular Cultivate course aims to provide citizens and community leaders with a range of practical measures that can be taken at both individual and community level to reduce fossil fuel dependency and cut carbon dioxide emissions. Over the ten weeks, using short presentations, discussions and multimedia, participants will explore a more ethical and sustainable way of life that values efficiency, community and the conservation of natural resources.  Course fee includes a course note booklet and DVD.

Celebrate Biodiversity at Airfield - 24^th to 25^th May

 
Come and enjoy a weekend of activities for all ages as part of Biodiversity week.  

Admission is FREE!

Presented by Airfield, EENGOCF and Notice Nature.

Click here for more details

Friday 18 May 2012 | 20.00 | Sheelagh na Gig Bookshop, Main St, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary

Feasta is having a "book party" to celebrate the launch of Sharing for Survival: Restoring the Climate, the Commons and Society.

The book, a collection by 6 authors, explores how we can respond to the challenge of climate change through sharing. Feasta's Bruce Darrell will host the event and John Jopling and Caroline Whyte, two of the authors, will talk about their work.

Sustainability –What is it? What are we doing about it?

Sat 28th August 2010 | 12pm & 2pm | €Free | Airfield | 01 298 4301

Gavin Harte is a sustainable development consultant with over 15 years of practical experience in helping communities and business to develop socially, environmentally and economically sustainable solutions to the challenges modern society faces.
Gavin has a particular interest and experience in education for sustainable development and facilitating groups through sustainable development decision-making processes.
He provides relevant and accessible information on a wide range of sustainable development subjects including climate change, energy and ecological footprinting.

Gavin Harte’s Specialties: Communicating climate change, community facilitation, not-for-profit and cooperative organisation, community energy efficiency consultation.

PLANNING AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME?

8 Week Night Course (20hrs) | Thursdays 7.00 – 9.30p.m. 

Starting Thursday 7th Febuary 2008 | €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. The course will benefit architects, technicians, builders, engineers and covers essential knowledge for anybody wishing to build their own home.

Saturday 11th September 2010 | 12pm-2pm | Phibsborough (Great Western Square) Community Garden | €Free

The Garden Butterfly Workshop aims to provide a practical hands on experience and knowledge of the butterflies that coexist with us amongst the urban landscape of Dublin. A talk and demonstration will serve to reveal butterfly lifecycle and habits, while gardening methods for encouraging and supporting their presence will also be described. The event is aimed at both adults and children, with the intention of answering questions, and providing information and advice. While providing an afternoon of recreational fun within this central Dublin location, the gardening workshops also seek to deliver environmental contributions in the following three areas:

The -STUDIO- Centre for energy efficient and sustainable technologies presents an ongoing Clay building workshop held by German clay expert Frank Andresen on every 3rd Saturday of the month.

Next workshop will be on Saturday the 20th September 2.30 till 7.00 pm.

Fee - €60, maximum 6 persons, booking required.

Each workshop includes an illustrated talk, product presentation, demonstrations and hands on experience. It will cover how to get materials, how to mix and use them. Traditional and modern techniques will be covered as well as the preparation and application of different types of clay plaster. This workshop does not specifically focus on cob building!

For bookings call 085 72 357 04 or email proclay@hotmail.com

The STUDIO Bennettsbridge Co Kilkenny

Sunday, October 5th 2008 | 1.30pm Sharp | Garden of Remembrance, Top of O’Connell Street, Dublin

Our peaceful and important rally will aim to do the following:

1. Raise awareness in the media and to the public about cruelty to animals

2. Call for stronger laws to protect animals

3. Bring people and groups who work with animals together

Contact: John Carmody, Christina Lynch, Mary Cashin, Stephan Wymore or Shane Kiely 087 6275579

Animal Rights Action Network | www.ARAN.ie

Capital Partnerships: A Debt-Free Solution to the Property Crash

Wednesday, 5th November 2008 | 7pm | McClelland Room, Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 | €5 FEASTA members, €10 non-members

Chris Cooke, an international expert on ‘Open Capital’ and a widely published energy market consultant, will discuss his ground-breaking ideas for capital partnerships, a financing structure that could provide a debt-free solution to the Irish property crash.  

An Immersive Learning Experience in Ireland's First Ecovillage

28-29 July 2012  | Cloughjordan Ecovillage | More info / Bookings 

Click for larger image

Our featured plant is:    Maximilian Sunflower

Botanical name:             Helianthus maximiliani

Family:                             Asteraceae

Genus:                             Helianthus

Species:                          maximiliani

Why is it called Helianthus?

While the common name of our plant of the week is Maximilian Sunflower, its botanical name is Helianthus maximiliani (from Greek, Helios: Sun and Anthos: Flower).

The Helianthus genus comprises 67 species and several subspecies. These are usually tall, annual or perennial plants. The rough and hairy stem is branched in the upper part. They bear several to many wide, terminal capitula (flower heads), with bright yellow ray florets at the outside and maroon disc florets inside. These flower heads follow the direction of the sun as it moves across the

Compassionate Communication, The art of NO-ing and Scary Honesty

Weekends 9th/10th May & 16th/17th May | Lusk, Co Dublin | €80-100 per day | Bookings 01 8439713

Weekend 9th/10th May covers an introduction to Compassionate Communication (NVC) as developed
by Dr Marshall Rosenberg.

Weekend 16tg/17th May covers some advanced trainings in key components of NVC, Including The Art of
NO-ing and Scary Honesty.

These workshops will teach you powerful tools to help you connect through your feelings with your
need and to explore healthy strategies to have those needs met. You will also learn how to connect
with others needs and to have seemingly conflicting needs met. You will learn to listen compassionately
to yourself and to others and to express yourself honestly in a way that can be heard by others.

You will learn through discussion, role-play, reflection, laughter and fun.

Work trades and/or energy exchanges possible.

November 1st 2008 | Ryston Social Club | Newbridge, Co Kildare

Celebrate your community and raise your spirits. Beat the world crisis blues. Taste, smell, hear and see Newbridge in a new light. Sow some seeds for your community in a fun, positive way. Gather ideas, information. Be creative. Jam packed, family-friendly fun!

Come to reconnect with a sense of local and ownership of place, to reconnect with a sense of seasonality, to reconnect with cultural traditions, to design and integrate new cultural celebrations and practices.

The schedule is found below by clicking Read more.

Exploring Good Practice in Education for Sustainable Development'

28 October I 10am-4pm I Irish Aid, 27-31 Upper O'Connell St, D1 I Free of charge but registration essential

This half-day seminar will share learning from the global mid-term review of the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and explore good practice in ESD across the environmental, youth and development education sectors.

Contact:  Graham Clarke, Youth for Sustainable Development Programme Co-ordinator

e: info@ecounesco.ie  t: (01) 6625492

There are still a number of places available on the following part-time courses commencing in mid-September and accredited by Tipperary Institute (click on links for more info):

Advanced Certificate in Renewable Energy, Location: Thurles Campus, Wednesday nights

Advanced Certificate in Domestic Sustainable Energy, Location:  Clonmel Campus, Thursday nights

Alternatively, contact Rural Development Department, Tipperary Institute, Thurles at: Tel: 0504 28127, Fax: 0504 28111, Email: acre@tippinst.ie or acdse@tippinst.ie

Programme fee €950.  You may be eligible for 35% funding from the FÁS Competency Development Programme (further information on the TI website).  A small number of bursaries providing 70% funding are available for those in the SERVE region of north Tipperary – details

9 - 11 March 2012 | Boghill Centre, Kilfenora, Co. Clare | Website

‘Awaken Ireland’, a voluntary group of concerned people based in Cork, is hosting a retreat weekend forum for individuals and groups nationwide, to explore the following questions:

What is the best way forward for Ireland?
And how can we make it happen?
Read more....

Friday, October 24, 2008 | Ionad Cois Locha, Dunlewey, County Donegal
Free but booking required | Contact: Storm PM, 3a Riverside Office Park, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal  Phone: (074) 910 2107  E-mail: info@stormpm.com | Full brochure

This free one-day seminar highlights the importance and relevance of the interconnections between environment, biodiversity and health to our quality of life, sense of place, well-being, economic development and sustainability.   It provides examples of these interconnections and outlines the potential benefits of integrating environment,  biodiversity and health strategies at local, regional and national levels.  It showcases integrated information systems that link health data with environmental data and provides a more comprehensive picture of how the ecosystem approach embraces factors necessary for equitable sustainable development.

Did you know . . .

. . .       that 68% of Irish people cite reasons of personal health as the main reason for their interest in heritage and the environment?

www.ecounesco.ie

ECO-UNESCO, Ireland’s environmental education and youth organisation, is celebrating 10 years of its Young Environmentalist Awards programme with a free exhibition, workshops and training sessions. The organisation is also inviting all young people aged between 12 and 18 years old to celebrate this special date by carrying out an environmental action project with their schools or youth groups.

To start the celebrations, a free exhibition celebrating 10 years of ECO UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards is running until 24th September in ENFO, Dublin 2. The exhibition will highlight the achievements of young people who have been working to conserve, protect and enhance Ireland's environment since the awards were launched in September 1999.

As part of the exhibition, ECO-UNESCO will be delivering free workshops for young people between the 1st and 19th of September. These workshops will engage young people in environmental activities and help them plan their own Young Environmentalist Awards Project for 2009.  More details follow....

International Biodiversity Day : May 22nd

Everyone welcome, wear outdoor clothing, bring rain gear. 

Monday 19th May:  6pm
Wildlife Photography; the tricks & tips and good wildlife locations in the City. Anthony Woods; Photographer for ‘Wild Dublin’ book as seen on Late Late Show.  Central Library, Ilac Centre.  Entrance off Henry St.

Tuesday, 20th May: 7pm
River Dodder Walk. Dr. Mary Tubridy.  Meet at Dropping Well Pub on Milltown Road and walk towards city direction.

Wednesday, 21st May: 6.30pm
Tolka Valley Park  pond dipping and lake/river exploration.  Pádraic Fogarty.  Meet on stone bridge linking Ballyboggan Road to Tolka Valley Park.

And many more (click on Read more)...

Tuesday 15th November 2011 | 9.30 - 17.00 | Wisdom Centre, Cork St, Dublin 8 | €15 (for lunch)

Sustained is holding a one day workshop to examine how we can build on our experiences with collaborative workspaces to find new and more effective ways of working together.

This workshop is aimed at sharing skills and capacities to develop ideas and explore the energies around resources in order to collaborate better within the workplace. There is a need for collaboration not just by practice or habit, not just by casual behaviour but with clear and skilled intention. This event is part of the activities around ‘Innovation Dublin 2011.

10th & 11th September 2011 | Castlebar, Co. Mayo | €120 including three meals and the use of cob sauna (a €20 non-refundable deposit is required / student discount available) | Places are limited so booking is essential | 085-159 4663 | cob-ireland.110mb.com

Would you like to build with Cob? This workshop aims to provide the hands on experience needed to design and construct your own structure. Using traditional Irish building materials and methods of Cob Construction, this workshop in one weekend will teach you all you need to know to build for yourself.  No prior construction or D.I.Y. experience is necessary and is suitable for both men and women. 

A Community Resilience Workshop
Wed 7th Sept 2011 | 19:30 - 21:30 | Portarlington Community Development Association, Community Centre, Link Rd, Portarlington, Laois, Ireland | 057 8645728 info@portarlingtoncommunity.com

Our resilience has been tested over the past few years with economic shocks, energy constraints and unpredictable weather. We are grappling to deal with these shocks. Together we can explore ideas of enabling our communities best deal with these challenges.  Facilitated by Davie Philip, Community Resilience Coordinator at Cultivate and a resident of the Cloughjordan Ecovillage.

From crisis to resilience: rethinking Ireland's economic future

11 - 15 June 2012 | Glencraig, Co Down  

Robin Murray, Hazel Henderson, Peadar Kirby, Jonathan Dawson

10th - 11th September 2011 | Waterford City | Part of the Waterford Harvest Festival | www.giyireland.com

Enjoy an amazing array of worldclass speakers including Ireland and the UK’s top horticulturalists, chefs, broadcasters and food writers: Joy Larkcom (one of the world's leading veg experts and writers), Bob Flowerdew (BBC Gardeners World presenter and author), Darina Allen (founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School and author), Ella McSweeney (Presenter of Ear to the Ground), Suzanne Campbell (Author of "Basket Case - What's Happening to Ireland's Food"), John McKenna (Bridgestone Guide and Irish Times writer), Duncan Stewart (Presenter of Eco Eye and About the House), Klaus Laitenberger (Author of "Vegetables for an Irish Climate"), Hans Wieland (The Organic Centre), Síle Nic Chonaonaigh (Presented of TG4's Garrai Glas), Pat Whelan (author of "An Irish Butcher Shop") and founder of

Deadline: Wednesday 19 October 2011 | Dublin City Council

Do you have a project or initiative that could help to increase local levels of environmental awareness, or that could help your community to become more sustainable?

If so, you may qualify for financial assistance from the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund 2011. The Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level.

Does Your Project Qualify?

Eligible projects are those that will support and complement, at a local level, national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Air, Water and Sustainable Development.

A wide variety of projects and schemes have been supported under the Fund in previous years, including community gardens and allotments, compost schemes, rainwater harvesting, biodiversity projects, waste reduction initiatives, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions. Lists of previously funded projects can be viewed online at

Monday 10th October 2011 | 10.00 - 12.00 | RSVP: Events@seai.ie | National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin 2

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its most recent World Economic Outlook (WEO) in April 2011. For the first time it included a chapter dedicated to considering the impact of oil supply on the global economy. This significant report is the focus of the seminar.

Attendees will hear from leading energy professionals and the speakers are:

Cultivate's shop is open Sunday 23rd Dec from 12 to 5.30pm and until Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm.  The shop will be closed from Monday the 24th until Monday the 7th of January. 

Green Santa will be in his grotto this Saturday, giving presents to children who are good (€5 for the reindeer food):

Sat 22nd Dec 1pm - 4pm   

Ho Ho Ho! 

Price: €47.00 (including 21% VAT)

Bike lights: offering no resistance; needing no batteries;
providing very strong light!

When peddling your bike, friction-free Reelight bike lights deliver its own energy source based upon a self-contained electrical system involving high-efficiency LEDs and high-power neodynium magnets.

One of our staff, Martin, has a pair and highly recommends them.  He says, "They are the best ever!" 

Buy online

Monday 14 May 2012 | 18.30 | Little Museum of Dublin, 15 St Stephens Green | humestreet.org

A public meeting held by the campaign to Save Hume St.

Friday 18 May 2012 | 15.00 - 17.00 | Meet at Crossguns Bridge, Phibsboro Road | Interested? Contact Lisa by email or call 01 872 2622 or 087 757 7259

As part of National Volunteering Week and with the help of Waterways Ireland, a canal clean-up event is being organised along the Royal Canal.  This project is one of almost 20 similar projects happening across Ireland during National Volunteering Week, under the theme of National Inland Waterways Clean Up.

By Becky Thomas

We are currently in the start up phase of refurbishing ten derelict houses in an environmentally sound and sustainable way. It will be part of the Green box project that is being developed by the Organic centre in Rossinver, Co. Leitrim. There aim is to promote Leitrim as an eco tourism destination.

Saturday 24 November 2012 | 12.00 - 17.00 | Wolftone Square, Dublin

Feeding 5K Dublin welcome you to their attempt to feed 5,000 people with food that would otherwise be wasted. The aim of the event is to highlight the amount of food we waste in Ireland and the significant economic, environmental and social consequences associated with it. FB event. 

Solar Spotlights

Price:  €33.95 (including 21 % tax)

Easy to install and require no wiring or running costs. During the day the solar panel converts daylight into electricity and recharges the integrated 'AA' battery. At dusk the light turns on automatically.

Features:

• 3 high intensity LED's for maximum light
• Multi-directional head unit for highlighting, uplighting and spotlighting
• High quality, weather resistant plastic construction
• Manual on/off override switch

Dear Friends of Cultivate,

Some of our staff would like to share some thoughts with you at this holiday season. 

"It is Christmas time again...  a time for shopping?  Alongside the material gifts that we share with loved ones, let's share our attention, our love, our caring.  While we spend quality time with those near and dear, let's also nuture our sense of belonging to 'All Our Relations'; that is, all people, everywhere, and all other beings as well.  While we travel to be with our mother or our father, our children or indeed anyone, let us reflect on how to better care for our shared Mother, Earth, and our shared Father, Sky, and our shared Children, the Future.  As we make New Year's resolutions, let's resolve to heal ourselves... and to do so in order that we can be useful to others; in order to cultivate such attitudes as:  'What can I do for you?' and 'How can I be steward of this Earth for the benefit of present and future generations?'"

- Martin Giannini, staff, helps with graphics design, web design, meeting facilitation and organises Art of Living courses that help people deal with stress and become stronger for everyone's benefit

"Not what you gather, but what you scatter tells the kind of life you live."  - Anonymous

If we are to truly face up to the challenge of climate change, the voices and ideas of those in developing countries need to be heard. 

* Dublin *         Wednesday March 5th    7.30 pm    Cultivate Centre, Street Dublin 2

In association with Cultivate Centre and Trinity One World Society

***Speakers from Kenya and El Salvador offer a unique and powerful perspective on this global issue.

  Climate change is a global justice issue. Carbon emissions from rich countries have contributed most to climate change, yet it is the poor in developing countries who are being hit hardest by its consequences. 

  This spring, Trocaire is offering the public throughout Ireland a chance to hear from two speakers with a powerful insight and expertise on the real impact of Climate Change – coming from two of the countries directly affected. 

  In Kenya, East Africa, climate change has meant severe drought while in El Salvador, Central America, tropical storms have increased in intensity. In both countries extreme weather conditions threaten the livelihoods of rural people. It is vital that communities be supported in responding to these changes (threats?) and Ms. Aguilar and

Choose a luxury Cultivate hamper as an exclusive Christmas gift for your loved ones, special clients or valued staff. Select from Cultivate’s range of organic, fair trade and Irish confections to create a truly unique and memorable hamper that is gentle on the environment.

Included in the elegant decorated wicker basket is a choice of premium chocolate, cocoa, biscuits, coffee, tea, honey, herbs, oil, book and CD.

Contact Alice (01 674 5773 or alice@cultivate.ie) to prepare your sumptuous Cultivate hamper.

Price varies depending on your choices.

Visit to find a new range of unusual indoor plants including dendrobiums, aloe vera, living stones, prickly pears, bonsai and bonsai starter kits, and large pitcher plants for gobbling up those flies!

Also we will be starting up garden workshops again in February!  Inquiries?  Kathleen[at]cultivate.ie

This season is tree planting season - so make sure you start the new year by planting a jolly green giant - on your patio, in your garden, give it as a gift - or guerilla plant it in your local park!  

These brilliant cardboard toys are made in England from recycled cardboard. Choose from a Teepee, Dolls House, Fort or Play-House. They can be decorated with paint or collage and used inside or out. Guaranteed to provide you and the kids with hours of Summer fun!

Save up to 25% on your Electricity Bills

The Electrisave will show you:

•    instantly just how much electricity you are using and how much it is costing you;

•    how much you may be wasting;

•    how much harmful CO2 you are contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Come to Cultivate to enjoy 20% OFF ALL PLANTS in the garden!

AND :::  with every purchase you may take home a FREE OAK TREE.

We stock rare and unusual plants, edibles, ornamentals, and irish and world trees.

Cultivate's Learning and Demonstration Garden is a unique oasis of diversity in the heart of the city. Built at street level the terrace is actually a roof allowing many of the principles of rooftop gardening to be demonstrated in a walk-in facility. The “urban heat island effect” provides a protected microclimate allowing us to experiment with subtropical as well as cool temperate species.

Saturday 1 March 08 | 1- 3pm | €20 | Bookings with Kathleen (01 674 5773 or kathleen[at]cultivate.ie )

Take a few hours to learn the skills to create your own tranquil mini forest. All materials provided.  And if you have a favourite pet plant at home that you want to try to bonsai - please feel free to bring it along!

Includes an introductory talk about the general philosophies behind the art of bonsai, some practical demonstrations on how to achieve shape, trim roots and care for your new micro-friend :)

Saturday February 16th | 12 - 3pm | €30

Bookings with Kathleen: 01 674 5773 or kathleen[at]cultivate.ie

A basic introduction for beginners to get started on an organic garden for 2008.  Learn about the entire cycle from planting seed, transplanting, propogation, pest management and the basic principles of permaculture.

Saturday, June 30th | 3-5 pm | Free | website | For more information please contact: Michele (evenings) 01 494 3163

The meeting will include a talk, meditation and spiritual singing (Bhajans).

Brahmachari Shubamrita Chaitanya has lived with Amma as a monastic disciple since 1989. He is one of Amma’s translators and, as one of Amma’s closest disciples, is invited regularly to hold programmes and courses throughout Europe and India, Australia and Africa.  Br. Shubamrita is known for his eloquent spiritual discourses and as a wonderful songwriter and singer of Bhajans (Indian spiritual songs).

During his programme in Dublin he will give a talk on how we can apply spiritual principles in our day-to-day life to keep our mind healthy, as well as talking about Amma and her teachings. He will also sing devotional songs and guide a short meditation.