April at Leave No Trace

Galway Environmental Festival

On April 7th, we were delighted to take part in the Galway Environmental Festival, hosted by NUI Galway's Energy Society, Tuath and Galway NPC. The festival took place in Terryland Forest Park, where there were live demonstrations, hands-on-nature-based activities, as well as a bike service station. It was a brilliant event! Congratulations to all involved, and thank you to the organisers for inviting us.

Graduation of the 2021 Nature Animation Class

This month we had the joy of seeing the first class of Nature Animation students graduate from our Level 6 course, a collaboration between Munster Technological University, in collaboration with The National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Leave No Trace Ireland. We wish all of the graduates the best of luck as they spread their wings and apply what they've learnt to the preserving the outdoors.

In case you missed it previously, here's our video about the course.

Padraic Creedon - New Eductaion & Training Officer

We are all delighted to announce that Padraic Creedon has been appointed to the post of National Education and Training Officer here at Leave No Trace Ireland.

Padraic is a Marine Science graduate of University College Galway, and an ecologist specialising in environmental and science education with experience and a passion for environmental stewardship.

Welcoming Mr Creedon’s appointment Leave No Trace CEO, Maura Kiely said “Padraic brings huge expertise and a wealth of knowledge and experience to this his new role as Education and Training Officer and will lead a vital part of our work in Leave No Trace in expanding education and awareness of the need for responsible and sustainable use of our recreation and outdoor spaces.”

Read the full article here.

New Memberships!

Leave No Trace Joins Northern Ireland Environmental Link

Leave No Trace Ireland has become a member of the Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) and will now work in partnership with NIEL and its member organisation network on a range of actions and initiatives within the environmental sector.

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the networking and forum body for organisations interested in the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. NIEL was formally launched in 1990 to complete the UK network: Scottish Environment Link, Wales Environment Link and Wildlife and Countryside Link.

Read our full article about joining the NIEL here.

Community Member Feature: Connemara Mountain Walking Festival 2022

This year the Connemara Mountain Walking Festival is a community member of Leave No Trace Ireland, and we are delighted to have them onboard. The festival is taking place from the 30th April – 1st May in the picturesque village of Leenane, situated on the edge of Killary Harbour and surrounded by mountains in all directions.

Walking festivals are amazing ways for people to get outdoors – especially if you are new to hillwalking. Events like Walking Festivals are safe ways to have new experiences, as well as practice or learn new skills. This festival has professional guides and strong connections to the local mountain rescue team, which connects to multiple Leave No Trace Principles.

Read our full article about the festival, and how we should all Plan Ahead & Prepare when heading out into the hills.

Kinvara Tidy Towns Special Award celebration day!

On April 10th, we celebrated with Kinvara Tidy Towns to mark their wonderful achievement, winning the National Leave No Trace Tidy Towns Special Award. It was a great day out for the community with wonderful music from Coole Music and activities with Kinvara cubs on the day. Congratulations to all the volunteers in Kinvara for an amzing event and all the work that you do.

3. Coming Up This May

May 10^th - Woodland Habitat Webinar for members

Join our ecologist and Education Officer, Padraic Creedon, as he discusses the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and how they can be specifically applied to our woodlands. Many of these areas are important wildlife refuges and offer important spaces for people to connect with nature and unwind. These wonderful habitats can face quite specific threats that require special consideration. During this session, Padraic will discuss some of his do’s and don’ts for how to leave no trace in our woodlands.

This event is free to all members but registration is required. Follow this link to register for the webinar!

Upcoming training dates

Our training and events calendar is filling up for the month of May, with our two day Trainers Course on 12th-13th of May. We also have our community impact day on Bertra Beach, and our Accredited Trainers CPD event with Patricia Deane, discussing the balance of farming and recreation in the High Nature Value lands in the MacGillycuddy Reeks.

Make sure to check out our Events & Training Calendar to see everything we have on!

Save the Date! The Leave No Trace Annual General Meeting 26^th May 2022

A reminder that all Leave No Trace members are invited to the Annual General Meeting. It will be held on Thursday 26th May, from 11am to 1pm, online from Westport via Zoom. Click here to register.

Leave No Trace Annual General Meeting 2022:

Date: 26th of May 2022,
Time: 11:00 - 13:00 (GMT)
Location: Online via Zoom (Hosted from Westport, Co. Mayo)
Link: Available upon registration.

Competition Time!

To celebrate the introduction of the single-use coffee cup levy, we want to give our Leave No Trace supporters a chance to win a Reusable Bottle and Thermal Coffee Cup! Follow us on social media (Instagram of Facebook) to enter! The competition will be published on Friday the 6th, with winners being announced on Monday the 9th of May 👀 Good luck!

Finally ...
The past few months we've been working on a really exciting PR campaign, to be launched on May 30^th.Keep your eyes peeled this coming month for the announcement of the island-wide campaign #LoveThisPlace

As always, thank you all for your continued support and interest in our work and ethos. Here's to us all getting outside more and more as this year progresses, and to our collective impact becoming less and less!

Leave No Trace Ireland

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April has been a busy month for everyone - Easter shifted our usual schedules and the nice weather invited us all outdoors.

Check out all we got up to below, as well as what's to come in May!