Ireland
The seventh international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2024 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
Fascination of plants explores the world of plants big and small. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn about the beauty and sophistication of plants as sources of oxygen, food, fuel and medicine, as habitats for thousands of organisms, as mitigators in climate change and critical entities in health and wellbeing. We look forward to taking you on a remarkable journey through the world of plants.
Time: 11.00 to 17.00 Sat 8th and Sunday 9th June 2024
Format: Interactive activities suitable for all ages
Celebration of Fascination of Plants at Bord Bia Bloom
May 30th – June 3rd 2024
The ITEN team are once again showcasing all that is best about plants and trees in the Phoenix Park, Dublin at Bord Bia Bloom. ‘ Bord Bia Bloom takes place over five days on the June Bank Holiday weekend (May 30th – June 3rd), running from 9am to 6pm daily. Bloom, which celebrates its 18th birthday in 2024, has been deemed one of the nations’ favourite summer events and takes place across 70 acres in the Phoenix Park. This spectacular gardening event is a great coming together for garden designers, flower growers, landscapers, plantaholics, garden-furniture makers, food fanatics and anyone who loves to garden’. See Bord Bia Bloom – About Bloom
Fascination of Plants Day – University College Cork, Ireland
Friday 17th May, 1pm-3:30pm
School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
Butler Building ground floor Labs 1 and 2, University College Cork, North Mall Campus, T23 TK30
Come and visit us in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences to find out why plants are so fascinating!
Exhibition and guided tours to the glasshouses, including the following topics:
- Trees – The Atlantic rainforest and Irish Tree Explorers Network
- Sustainable food production and agricultural weeds
- Plant biotechnology
- The age of chocolate
- Plant climate responses
and much more…
Glasshouse tours (about 30 min duration) start at 1:15pm and 3:00pm from the Butler Building labs.
Come and visit us in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences to find out why plants are so fascinating!
Exhibition and guided tours to the glasshouses, including the following topics:
- Trees – The Atlantic rainforest and Irish Tree Explorers Network
- Sustainable food production and agricultural weeds
- Plant biotechnology
- The age of chocolate
- Plant climate responses
and much more…
Glasshouse tours (about 30 min duration) start at 1:15pm and 3:00pm from the Butler Building labs.
INTRODUCTION
WITH THIS VISUAL EXHIBIT OF CACTI & SUCCULENTS, IT IS HOPED TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE
BEAUTY AND INGENUITY OF PLANTS AND THEIR DIVERSITY.
WITH INCREASING URBANISATION AND TIME SPENT WITH ‘DEVICES,’ MODERN CULTURE’S
DISSASSOCIATION WITH NATURE HAS OCCURRED. THIS MEANS THAT HARM IS BEING CAUSED TO
HUMANS BY BEING ALIENATED /REMOVED FROM NATURE. ‘’NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER’’ AS A
METAPHOR, IS ON THE RISE. LESS EXPOSURE TO PLANTS CAUSES GREATER ‘’PLANT BLINDNESS’’
AMONGST PEOPLE.
THIS TERM ‘’ PLANT BLINDNESS’’ WAS COINED BY ELIZABETH SCHUSSLER AND JAMES WANDERSEE
AS ‘’ THE INABILITY TO SEE OR NOTICE THE PLANTS IN ONES ENVIRONMENT’’. THIS RESULTS IN AN
UNDER APPRECIATION OF PLANTS AND NATURE AND CONSEQUENTLY, A LIMITED INTEREST IN PLANT
CONSERVATION.
FACTS
-> 8 PLANT SPECIES HAVE DISAPPEARED EVERY THREE YEARS SINCE 1900 (> X 500 TIMES NATURAL
EXTINCTION RATE)
->34,000 PLANTS ARE LISTED ON CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora) VERSUS >6,000 ANIMALS
– ILLEGAL PLANT TRADE HAS A HIGHER ECONOMIC VALUE THAN ILLEGAL ANIMAL TRADE AND
WORTH UP TO 258 BILLION DOLLARS -UNCTAD (United Nations Commission Trade and Development)