Invasive species are non-native species that, as a result of human activity, have been transported further than they could naturally travel and have subsequently disrupted their newly colonised environments. Biological invasions happen when an organism arrives at a place beyond its previous range.

Invasive species are now considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity on a global scale. And they are in Wexford! There is presently a campaign underway to tackle the scourge of Japanese Knotweed in Wexford.

This talk in the Riverbank House Hotel, Wexford on Sept 19 (8pm) will give you a good introduction to the whole subject of invasive species and how we can best deal with them.

If you feel like swotting up before then have a look at this online brochure prepared by Niamh Lennon, Biodiversity Officer with Wexford County Council: Invasive Species.

As with many of the important things in life, the future of Biodiversity is in the hands of the next generation.

To this end, a “Biodiversity Action Day” was organized recently in Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts, Wexford, where Mary Foley, from Wexford County Council’s Environment Department passed on some of her vast Biodiversity knowledge to a bunch of keen and enthusiastic youngsters.

Mary introduced a number of fun projects, and there were many wonderful paintings and sculptures of plants and animals created by the young participants.