March 2008 First Ever Green Week at NUI Galway

NUI Galway's first ever Green Week is to be held from the 10-14 March. It is aimed at raising environmental awareness and promoting the importance of wildlife and biodiversity among students, staff and the general public. The week is being organised by NUI Galway's Student Ecological Society and is supported by the Environmental Change Institute.

Among the range of events to take place is an Art Workshop on "Ecological Living" using recycled and found objects (7-9pm, Tuesday, 11 March), a talk by the Irish Seed Saver Association (12pm, Wednesday, 12 March), a unique lecture on the "Cuban Organic Growing Movement" (6pm, Wednesday, 12 March), and a week-long photo exhibition depicting a wide range of Ireland's wildlife (in the foyer of Áras na mac Léinn).

A contributor to the wildlife photo exhibition, Professor Michael O'Connell of the Botany Department at NUI Galway expressed his enthusiasm for the Green Week, saying "People have never been so conscious of the importance of the environment, not least for our future but for our pleasure."

Dr. Martina Prendergast of the Environmental Change Institute said she expects that Green Week will become an annual event at NUI Galway, "We hope the events will highlight the positive contribution that biodiversity and wildlife can have to our everyday wellbeing".

Other events during the week will include a talk on 'Environmental Politics in Galway' (7.30pm, Monday, 10 March) by local community leader and head of the Save the Terryland Forest Park campaign, Brendan Smith. The talk will inform people about environmental issues currently at the forefront in Galway. According to Mr. Smith, "The proposal before Galway City Council to build a road through Terryland Forest Park, which will have a devastating effect on local wildlife, is being met with considerable objection by the general public."

A full calendar of events and venues is available on the NUI Galway Societies website at http://www.socs.nuigalway.ie/ or by contacting Christina O Rourke at c.orourke4@nuigalway.ie

-ends-