What you can do

 

Individuals

• Get involved with local organisations and environmental NGOs such as BirdWatch Galway, Galway Bat Group, An Taisce, Crann, Irish Wildlife Trust, Conservation Volunteers of Ireland.
• Put up a bird table.
• Plant a few native trees and shrubs (e.g. rowan, birch, holly and guelder rose are good for small gardens).
• Avoid using herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
• Introduce some plants into your garden that are good for wildlife such as native trees and shrubs.

 

Community Groups

• Adopt a local natural area and develop a local biodiversity action plan
• Plant native trees and shrubs.
• Put up bird and bat boxes in your local area.
• Organise a clean-up of any rubbish in hedgerows, streams and other local wild beauty spots.
• Avoid using herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilisers when managing green spaces.
• Leave some areas to ‘go wild’ and minimise management such as mowing or strimming.

 

Schools

• Develop a wildlife garden project in the school grounds.
• Put up bird tables and study usage.
• Run poster and photography competitions to promote pride in Galway City.
• Facilitate student-led projects to identify threats to Galway’s natural heritage and possible remedies.

 

Local Businesses

• Support local community groups and schools working to improve the natural environment.
• Ensure that business practices do not have a negative impact on biodiversity or the environment.
• Follow the biodiversity guidelines developed by Bord Fáilte and Notice Nature if business directly or indirectly associated with tourism industry.