Eco Eye

Eco Tourism, Brown Bins/Organic Waste, BIOFOREST (5x6)

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Eco Tourism Duncan travels to the Slieve Bloom region to look at the possibility of Eco Tourism in the midlands region. He meets Christina Byrne from the Slieve Bloom Rural Development Society and they discuss what Eco Tourism has to offer, and in particular what the Slieve Bloom region has to offer tourists. Duncan takes a trail on an eco walk in the area and discovers the biodiversity and cultural diversity of the rural landscape. He meets Dr. John Feehan from UCD to discuss what natural attractions the area has to offer. Brown Bins/Organic Waste Food and Garden waste makes up one third of the total waste produced in an average household. This waste usually goes to landfill however with the introduction of the brown bin by Dublin City Council, this organic waste is now being collected separately and then eventually used for composting. There is currently a pilot trial for the brown bins going on in Dublin; they have been introduced on a phased basis in the region from 2005. Taking food and garden waste from the home and separating it from other household waste means we are solving the typical problems food waste causes. Duncan meets Nuala Mc McElhinney, a Dublin resident, to see how she is getting on with the introduction of the brown bin. BIOFOREST Biodiversity in our forests is under threat. There are now many endangered native species because of intensification of the land. Duncan looks at the importance of retaining existing wild habitats in our forests and encouraging even more diversity of species and eco systems. Duncan meets Professor John O'Halloran, Mark Wilson, and Dr. Daniel Kelly who have all been involved in a project called BIOFOREST. There is a need for our forests to be managed properly if biodiversity is to continue, so the project looks at methods to encourage biodiversity. Biodiversity in our forests is vital, not only can it provide shelter and food for wildlife but there is great potential for recreational use and amenities.