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Corrin Hill Ice Cream has announced the launch of the
Corrin Hill Biodiversity Garden awards. The awards
- now in their second year - are organised in conjunction
with Birdwatch Ireland.
Ireland’s native wildlife is under threat and gardens
have become an essential habitat in the race to protect
our declining biodiversity - i.e. the number and variety
of different plants and animals that coexist in a given
area.
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Gardeners can play a huge role in protecting our native wildlife
by making some simple changes to the way they manage their
gardens. For example, simply by planting native plants in
a garden will provide more food and shelter for birds, butterflies
and many other creatures - and, reducing the amount of garden
chemicals used, or eliminating them altogether, has enormous
benefits to a wide range of struggling species.
Corrin Hill and BirdWatch Ireland believe that gardeners
who make special efforts to protect and encourage wildlife
deserve proper recognition - and encourage anyone who has
a garden that is brimming with birdsong, butterflies and other
wildlife to nominate it.
Entries can be made in different categories - rural garden,
urban garden, school garden, community garden or public space.
Gardens will be shortlisted in each category and regional
and national winners will be selected. Prizes include award
plaques and funds to spend on the garden itself.
“We decided to become involved with the conservation of biodiversity
because of the clear link that it has with our ice cream”
- said Thea Murphy of Corrin Hill. “We are proud of the fact
that our ice cream is produced from local milk from lush pastures
in North Cork. Traditional, sustainable Irish farming methods
have a vital role to play in safeguarding our biodiversity
and environment. Maintaining hedgerows and grazing is essential
for the survival of many species of flowers and insects."
Commenting on garden biodiversity, Oran O'Sullivan, CEO of
BirdWatch Ireland, said - "Gardens have a major role to play
in maintaining biodiversity. There are over 1.5 million
households in Ireland and 93,000 new dwellings were completed
in 2006 alone. It is ironic that some traditional farmland
species that have decreased in the countryside can actually
thrive in the garden environment. Gardeners in new housing
estates on greenfield sites can lessen the impact of development
by planting gardens and open space with wildlife in mind.”
The following are 10 gardening tips for promoting biodiversity
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- Plant native or old-fashioned traditional plants, shrubs
and trees to provide nectar and food for bird, butterflies
and other wildlife.
- Cut down on chemicals: use environmentally friendly weed
and pest control.
- Learn how to create a healthy eco-system in your garden.
- Use organic plant food and compost.
- Grow some organic fruit and vegetables.
- Grow your own organic leaves and herbs in pots or a special
patch.
- Learn to enjoy a slightly wilder, natural garden and leave
seedheads on flowers over the winter to feed birds and shelter
insects.
- Plant a wildflower bed.
- Put up a raised nest box for birds.
- Supply water in a pond or a birdbath - birds will reward
you with song.
To download the Corrin Hill Biodiveristy Gardens 2008 application
form - Click
Here
To download the Biodiversity Gardens 2007 results - Click
Here
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