Ok so the weather isn’t great but on the bright side we have some exciting batty news!
We will team up with our friends at Creggan Country Park to deliver the first ever Northern Ireland Bat Conference on Friday 6th March 2015 with the help of NIEA, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Bat Conservation Trust and Bat Conservation Ireland.
We were awarded £6,885 from the NIEA Challenge Fund 2015 to deliver the following actions:
– 600 pupils from primary and secondary schools will take part in ‘Batty Schools Conferences’ at Creggan Country Park. The sessions will involve an interactive talk on bats, games and practical planting session. All materials and refreshments are provided.
– 200 people will attend a professional conference on Friday 6th March. The professional conference will educate professionals including tree surgeons, builders, roofing contractors, housing associations and councils who may encounter bats in their area of work. The conference will ensure these professionals are equipped with the correct knowledge with regards to bats and the law, mitigation measures and who to contact should they find a grounded bat. It will also highlight the upcoming changes to planning in Northern Ireland and provide advice for councils on bats and the planning process.
In addition to this, the project will produce new leaflets, banners, stickers and conference packs!
Please can you pass information on our professional conference to any builder, tree surgeon, roof contractor and anyone else you think may encounter bats in their area of work. Note: unfortunately this conference is not open to ecological consultants, the conference is aimed at people with little or no bat knowledge.
For more information, contact Creggan Country Park’s Environmental Officer – [email protected]
