Heritage Council and Library Service introduce Citizen Science Kit

TIPPERARY County Council Library Service is taking part in a pilot project to make ecology equipment freely available for citizens looking to join the fight against biodiversity loss. The Heritage Council is working with ten library services across the country, of which Tipperary is one, to make Citizen Science Kits available for loan through libraries.

At the launch of the Citizen Science Kit, held in Carrick on Suir Library, the Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Cllr Roger Kennedy, welcomed the pilot, saying “I am delighted to launch the Citizen Science Kit in County Tipperary and hope that community and voluntary groups, and all those with an interest in biodiversity and ecology take the opportunity to borrow the kit and contribute to the national biodiversity database.”

The initiative will empower the public to collect information about biodiversity in their local area by making available specialised equipment and biodiversity guides available for loan as part of the Citizen Science Kit.

It is expected the kits will be used by students looking to conduct their own studies, amateur ecologists and by community groups such as Tidy Towns, River Trusts and Field Groups 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. When records are submitted to NBDC, it helps researchers to monitor changes in biodiversity and identify areas of conservation concern. Records submitted inform conservation strategies and provide evidence for policy decisions.

Cllr David Dunne, Cathaoirleach of Carrick on Suir Municipal District added “the protection of our biodiversity in Tipperary is an important matter and I am happy to see that Carrick on Suir Lions Club Environment Team is the first voluntary group to borrow the Citizen Science Kit.”

The kit is free to borrow for members of Tipperary County Council Library Service. Membership is free and you can join in any of their twelve branches or online at www.tipperarylibraries.ie.