Chocolate Challenge

To celebrate the new BBC nature documentary ‘Life’ the eco-group is running a weekly quiz on each episode – aired on Monday nights on BBC One 10:30PM or catch up on BBC iPlayer if too late. The first three winners with the most correct answers or selected at random will be presented with Fairtrade chocolate bars – any unclaimed chocolate bars will be devoured by E McVea – can’t really say fairer than that!

If possible guys write answers with your name and class details and place in the ecobox in the front foyer from Monday onwards.

Episode One – ‘Challenges of Life’
1: Approximately, how many plants and animals are supported in Earth?
2: Which animal was responsible for the “scars on the seabed” off the coast of Florida?
3: What have they invented?
4: What is Kenya famous for?
5: How many Cheetahs were present in the hunt?
6: Who has a projecting tongue, independent movement of eye and a changing camouflage?
7: What speed does its tongue shoot out at?
8: What do “Crab” eating seals eat?
9: How far can flying fish glide in order to avoid predators?
10: Who are responsible for the “strangely pitted rocks” in Boa Vista, central Brazil?
11: What protects the seeds of the nut palm?
12: Two triggers of the Venus fly trap must be hit within 10, 15, 20 or 25 seconds of each other to ensnare prey?
13: What wide eyed insect was filmed in this instance in Malaysia?
14: How many eggs was the Great Pacific Octopus carrying?
15: How long did it take to film the ‘Life’ series?

Red, Yellow, Green, Goooo

The Eco & Wildlife group kicks in again this Tuesday 6th October, and every Tuesday thereafter. It’s after school from 3:30 – 4:30pm meeting in Derek Bailey’s room. We have a range of activities planned over the year including the usual tree and bulb planting, bird box building, construction of our mini-beast hotel, environmentally theme movies such as Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’ and ‘The 11th Hour’ narrated by Leonardo Di Caprio (he is in it for a bit, ladies), fair-trade chocolate tasting and other fair trade events as well as representatives from the Green party speaking in politics on issues such as human rights.

All of which go towards our effort for the Green Flag.

Go Nuts for Free

‘Red squirrel day at Tollymore Park’ Sunday 4th October from noon to 5pm.
It's National Red Squirrel week and as part of the Tollymore Squirrel Group’s and the Mourne Heritage Trust’s efforts to promote the conservation work undertaken in the park to conserve the threatened species Tollymore Park has laid on a wide range of activities in celebration. The day will give families an opportunity to take part in a fun filled day of activities including craft activities, mask making, and help in making a giant squirrel as well as two guided walks of squirrel woodland habitat (max 30 people) which take place at 2PM. Registration for the walks takes place at the Rangers Hut in Tollymore Park which is open from 10AM. People are asked to meet at the lower car park. Oh aye, it’s FREE!!!!

Boxes Go Leor

After claiming all the computer equipment for our Tesco vouchers, there were some left over. We used them up by claiming lots of eco products, such as bird boxes, insect hotels etc. They have all come in kit form. Any eco warriors ready to help assemble them, please see Stephen Hanna or leave your name with Ellen McVea

It's Gone

The composting toilet that is. It has gone off to Haughian House to be installed. Thanks a million to Pat Lenny and Martin McParland. Update soon.

It's come

Our composting toilet for Haughian House that is. If you spotted the 'Made in Canada' box in the front hall, that was it. It will be on its way to the Head Road very soon to be installed, and then HH will be open for business and we can start planning trips.

Clunking Relatives

I am now related to an Obama 'Cash for Clunkers' replacement car. My US nephew car, called Turtle, has been recycled, and he has been replaced by a brand new Scion, called Silver Cat. The Scion was funded by Mr Obama's rebate when you turn in a 'clunker', that is an ancient car which does fewer than 15 mpg. The real reason behind the scheme is to boost the car industry, and isn't really for eco reasons. The greenest option is to keep driving a car until it collapses, but I have to say poor old Turtle was nearing collapse and really needed to be replaced. The green gains are that the Scion is much more fuel efficient and Turtle's bits will be recycled.