Biodiversity Ireland

18/06/2026

Free Online Webinar: Invasive Species

Join Limerick City and County Council and guest speaker 's Colette O’Flynn .

-Date: Wednesday 24 June 2026
-Time: 19:30 - 20:30
-Platform: Microsoft Teams
-Free to attend - no registration needed

Learn how to identify invasive species, understand their impacts on our native biodiversity, and discover simple actions you can take to help protect local habitats.

Everyone is welcome, from beginners to those with an interest in nature and conservation.

18/06/2026

Calling all schools! It's time to take part in Pitches for Pollinators. Help feed our hungry bees by leaving playing pitches unmown over the summer when they're not in use, giving nectar-rich wildflowers a chance to grow.

From the end of June until mid-August, leave pitches unmown to let wildflowers like clovers grow naturally. If this is not possible, consider mowing just once across this period.

When you do mow, remove the grass cuttings. Native wildflowers grow better in poorer quality soil. By removing the cuttings each summer, you will slowly reduce the soil fertility. This means that each summer, more flowers will pop up in the pitches. They are already in the soil just waiting for a chance to grow - no seed mixes needed!

Find out more on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan's Pitches for Pollinators homepage.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is a framework bringing together different sectors across the island of Ireland to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive. Its implementation is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

  Over the summer holidays, schools are invited to help save the bees by taking part in ‘Pitches for Pollinators’. This campaign aims to help Ireland’s pollinators like wild bees by leaving school pitches unmown over the summer, allowing wildflowers … Continued

16/06/2026

Q. What can our business do On-site for biodiversity this month?
A. Champion by developing your short-flowering strip, verge or meadow to support pollinators-biodiversity.
*Remember when you do reduced mowing every 4-6 weeks, to lift the cuttings.
*Use signage and a sharp, mown perimeter strip to indicate change management.
https://tinyurl.com/5hy5xzty

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

The countdown to Invasive Species Week 2026 is on with just one just week left to go to launch day!

🦝 🐿️ 🦜 🐢 🐜 🐞 🦠 🌱 🦀 🦐 🐠

🗓️ Check out what events are happening around the country and online throughout the week: https://invasives.ie/events/

💡 Can't make it to an event? Discover other ways to get involved here: https://invasives.ie/invasive-species-week/

🔜Stay tuned for updates!

📧 Are you planning an event? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with Invasive Species Week in the subject line.

12/06/2026

If you're on the east coast this weekend make sure to check out the Skerries Wild Bee Festival. This much-loved festival celebrating our wild pollinators returns again to Skerries, Co. Dublin from the 13th and 14th June.

This year’s programme includes a fantastic line-up of speakers, guided walks and hands-on activities, with something for everyone from curious beginners and families to gardeners, nature lovers and pollinator enthusiasts.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy sessions including Naomi Lavelle’s Family Pollinator Science Workshop, Sarah Larragy on RestPoll and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Brian Seales’ Plant Walk in Skerries Mills Wildflower Meadow, Kate Harrington’s Basic Bumblebee Identification Workshop, Charlie Heasman’s talk on the weird and wonderful interactions of plants and pollinators, and a Birdwatch Ireland Bird Walk with Cathal Copeland.

Sustainable Skerries Fingal County Council Skerries Mills

Get ready to celebrate all things wild bees with fun activities, cool talks, and a great couple of days

12/06/2026

7-Spot Ladybird was knocked off the No.1 spot for most recorded beetle last month. That honour, perhaps unsurprisingly, went to the Common Cockchafer, also known as the Maybug, with 120 sightings submitted last month!

11/06/2026

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has today issued a press release urging all water users to follow the “Check, Clean, Dry” steps after a crayfish plague outbreak was confirmed at the River Camac in Dublin. This disease poses a serious threat to Ireland’s native white clawed crayfish and can be easily spread on wet boats, fishing gear and clothing.

Read the press release in full here: https://shorturl.at/oAz9a

Water users are reminded to:

CHECK equipment and clothing for any signs of mud, plant or animal material that has been in contact with the water or river banks. Remove anything you find and dispose of safely.

CLEAN everything thoroughly, ideally using hot water. Pay close attention to areas that are damp or hard to access.

DRY for as long as possible. If you cannot dry your equipment, consider using an appropriate disinfectant.

To learn more visit:
🔗 https://invasives.ie/checkcleandry/

Have you watched the video?
🔗 https://youtu.be/oxp4k3uAVBI?si=vvu88XziKpeFFNjS

Members of the public who see dead crayfish in the area are asked to inform the NPWS by sending reports to [email protected] or by logging records directly to the National Biodiversity Data Centre at www.invasives.ie.



Marine Institute - Foras na Mara SDCC Dublin City Council Parks and Biodiversity Local Authority Waters Programme Waterways Ireland Inland Fisheries Ireland - Office of Public Works of the Camac

10/06/2026

Only a week to go before our next webinar, which will explore the actions everyone can take to protect their garden or outdoor space from invasive species.

Wednesday 17th June
12:00 – 1:00pm

Register for free on Ticket Tailor or our linktr: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/nationalbiodiversitydatacentre/2201447

Invasive Species Week will take place from 22nd to 28th June. To find out more check out: https://invasives.ie/invasive-species-week/