Cathaoirleach Councillor Michael Clarke celebrated Biodiversity Week 2023, with Sligo Libraries and the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, by launching the Citizen Science Kit.
Citizen Science Kit launched during Biodiversity Week
Photograph by Carl Brennan;
Back Row (L-R) Aoife Walsh, Library Assistant, Martina Killian, Cloonacool Environmental Group, Cllr. Dónal Gilroy, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Michael Clarke, Niamh Doyle, Cloonacool Environmental Group, Dónal Tinney, County Librarian, Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer
This pilot programme between Sligo Libraries and the Heritage Council makes ecology equipment freely available, empowering citizens to join the fight against biodiversity loss.
Through the programme, people can access specialised equipment in Sligo Central Library and gather valuable data using the kit which includes nets, magnifying glasses and swatches to help identity species.
Sligo Libraries are one of ten libraries in the pilot programme designed to aid communities who are eager to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity but may lack the tools to do so.
The kits will benefit community groups exploring biodiversity, amateur ecologists wishing to produce their own biodiversity action plans, students conducting studies, and groups such as Tidy Towns, River Trusts and Field Clubs who want to gather information to bolster local biodiversity projects. Records gathered should be sent to Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), whose role it is to collect and manage data and information about Ireland’s biodiversity. Records submitted to NBDC at https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/ help researchers to monitor changes in biodiversity, identify areas of conservation concern, inform conservation strategies, and provide evidence for policy decisions.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Clarke spoke of the positive role public libraries play in providing an inclusive space for all citizens to access information and said the loan of a Citizen Science Kit from Sligo Libraries will allow communities to learn about the biodiversity in their own area.
Councillor Dónal Gilroy, Chairperson of Sligo Heritage Forum attended the launch with Dónal Tinney, County Librarian, Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer Sligo County Council, and Martina Killian and Niamh Doyle from Cloonacool Environmental Group.
The Citizen Science Kit can be borrowed by adult members of Sligo Libraries, exploring biodiversity with a group in their community, enquiries to sligolibrary@sligococo.ie