Latest news with #NBDC
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
'For Fox sake' - Help our loveless urban foxes
Have a look around any housing estate in towns and cities in Ireland, usually around sunset, and you are sure to meet an urban fox or two prowling the streets and gardens on the hunt for food. These beautiful animals are a prime example of a species who have had to learn to adapt to their rapidly changing environments, with thousands of housing estates built over the rural landscape these foxes used to call home. Now The National Biodiversity Data Centre is running a survey covering seven of the most populated cities and towns across Ireland, asking us all to keep an eye out for these amazing little creatures, and let the centre know where and when you spotted them. An urban red fox seen in an urban garden (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images) The NBDC says that 'understanding their distribution and behaviour of foxes across urban areas can shed light on the needs of the animals and the potential of cities to provide for them'. 'This project will provide valuable data for conservation planning in Ireland and finding solutions for potential human/wildlife conflicts'. If you live in or close to Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Derry, Galway, and Waterford, and you would like to get involved in trying to help our native 'Madra Rua' or 'Sionnach' in more modern Irish, then you can simply get a notebook and pen, and jot down when and where you see Mr and Mrs Foxy. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) resting in hollow tree trunk in woodpile. (Photo by: Philippe Clement/Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) If you hear a type of screeching at nighttime, a little bit like the sound of cats fighting, it could be foxes playing and scavenging in your garden. Their sound can be quite frightening, until you realise its just these little red dog-like animals having a rare old time rooting the bins in your garden. Experts on these creatures, say evidence of fox activity can be found in various forms, including tracks, scat (poop) prey remains, fur clumps, and trampled flowerbeds. Foxes can harbour parasites so we recommend you don't handle their droppings'! There are a number of organisations trying to document the numbers of these little animals that are living in our towns and cities, in order to try to devise a way to best help them survive their urban environments. The public can help to do this, by keeping our eyes open for these little guys, trotting down the avenues and in and out of gardens in a town near you and by contacting the National Biodiversity Data Centre with your findings.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
Foxy needs your help
Have a look around any housing estate in towns and cities in Ireland, usually around sunset, and you are sure to meet an urban fox or two prowling the streets and gardens on the hunt for food. These beautiful animals are a prime example of a species who have had to learn to adapt to their rapidly changing environments, with thousands of housing estates built over the rural landscape these foxes used to call home. Now The National Biodiversity Data Centre is running a survey covering seven of the most populated cities and towns across Ireland, asking us all to keep an eye out for these amazing little creatures, and let the centre know where and when you spotted them. An urban red fox seen in an urban garden (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images) The NBDC says that 'understanding their distribution and behaviour of foxes across urban areas can shed light on the needs of the animals and the potential of cities to provide for them'. 'This project will provide valuable data for conservation planning in Ireland and finding solutions for potential human/wildlife conflicts'. If you live in or close to Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Derry, Galway, and Waterford, and you would like to get involved in trying to help our native 'Madra Rua' or 'Sionnach' in more modern Irish, then you can simply get a notebook and pen, and jot down when and where you see Mr and Mrs Foxy. If you hear a type of screeching at nighttime, a little bit like the sound of cats fighting, it could be foxes playing and scavenging in your garden. Their sound can be quite frightening, until you realise its just these little red dog-like animals having a rare old time rooting the bins in your garden. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) resting in hollow tree trunk in woodpile. (Photo by: Philippe Clement/Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Experts on these creatures, say evidence of fox activity can be found in various forms, including tracks, scat (poop) prey remains, fur clumps, and trampled flowerbeds. Foxes can harbour parasites so we recommend you don't handle their droppings'! There are a number of organisations trying to document the numbers of these little animals that are living in our towns and cities, in order to try to devise a way to best help them survive their urban environments. The public can help to do this, by keeping our eyes open for these little guys, trotting down the avenues and in and out of gardens in a town near you and by contacting the National Biodiversity Data Centre with your findings.
The Journal
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
The family-friendly wild bee festival run by two 'citizen scientists' in Co Dublin
IT'S SUMMERTIME, WHICH means it's festival season: we've seen festivals like AVA, Forbidden Fruit, ATN, and Beyond the Pale come and go. But today marks the beginning of a slightly different type of festival – the Skerries Annual Wild Bee Festival. Kicking off this evening with the screening of ' Plight of the Bumblebee ', a new documentary concerning the world of bees and their connection to Irish religion, folklore, and biodiversity, the festival will run until Sunday evening. This year marks the fourth occurrence of the festival, which began in 2022. Described as 'a family-friendly event with bee themed crafts and activities for children as well as educational events and lectures suited to serious nature lovers both amateurs and experts', it was originally put on by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) in collaboration with Fingal County Council. After its first successful outing, however, the centre had to move on from Skerries to spread the message to other parts of the country. Charles and Marion Heasman, a retired couple involved with the NBDC who describe themselves as 'keen amateur naturalists and citizen scientists', decided that although the NBDC had to 'spread the love around the countryside', they wanted the festival to continue in Skerries. 'So we formed a group, and we've run the festival for the last three years, including this one, which is the fourth,' Charles told The Journal . The festival is run 'on a shoestring', but between small grants from the council and some local fundraising, the couple have been successful in making it free to attend – although this evening's screening requires the purchase of a ticket due to the cost to put the documentary on. Advertisement Charles Heasman Charles Heasman Both 2023 and 2024 were slightly less well-attended than it had been hoped due to inclement weather, but with a brighter forecast for this weekend, the Heasmans are hoping for a turnout of a couple of thousand people. 'When the NBDC organised the first one, it was fairly academically inclined for people that were already in the conservation field, as it were, and interested,' Charles said. 'We make our festival much more family friendly.' The couple described some of the activities aimed at children on offer, including face painting, fancy dress, arts and crafts, among others. Marion said that they hope that their festival allows people to become more engaged in the ongoing climate crisis – but also to provide a lighter view. 'A lot of people get anxious about climate change and biodiversity,' she said, 'and just having talks and being able to say, 'well, hold on a minute. We can all do something little to help – don't get too anxious'.' Charles Heasman Charles Heasman The weekend event, which is to be held at Skerries Mills, will feature activities for children, bird watching, talks from ecologists and botanists, walks around certain parts of the area to explore the local ecology, as well workshops. The local community garden, which the Heasmans are also involved in, is at the same site, which has 'lots of bees' – including a threatened species of bumblebee that those involved in the NBDC's work are trying to conserve. The Large Carder Bee located in the Skerries garden just prior to the festival in 2022 after efforts were made over a number of years to lure it in with the pollinator friendly garden. The NBDC has described Skerries as 'leading the way in demonstrating how a local community can work together and take action'. You can find out more about the festivities here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Northeast Nebraska company receives business award
LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU) — A northeast Nebraska company received a business award from the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC). Daycos, a transportation revenue solutions company from Norfolk, earned the 2024 Government Contractor of the Year award. Governor Jim Pillen's Office said the award is for securing a Tier 1 subcontractor role in a Department of Defense contract. Brendan Day, CEO of Daycos, said he credits the company's growth to its commitment to community involvement, government contracting, workforce retention. State officials said Daycos processes more than 400,000 invoices a year and earned a B Corp Certification for its 'high standards in performance and transparency.' The company has been working with NBDC since 2009. Norfolk launching online permit system to streamline applications Nebraska Business Development Center gives confidential business consulting services to any resident in the state who wants to start, grow, or transition a business at no cost. The center is a University of Nebraska at Omaha center with nine locations, partnering with multiple higher institutions, including Wayne State College to deliver its services across Nebraska. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
