Birds, Bats, Bees: Biodiversity at Trinity College Dublin

We aim to enhance the biodiversity on Trinity College’s main campus through installation of educational signs and bird/bat/bee boxes.

This project will be aimed at increasing biodiversity on Trinity College Dublin’s (TCD’s) main campus through installing educational signs, planting wildflowers, and installing bird, bat and bee boxes. Not only does biodiversity improve the health of an ecosystem, but it provides cultural value and recreational enjoyment. To accomplish these goals, we plan to carry out a phased project. In phase 1, we will focus on generating high-quality photographs of birds and other species present on campus and carry out research for educational materials and signage. We will also carry out daily bird surveys to identify strategic areas for placing nest boxes. In phase 2, we will propose areas of campus to be converted to wildflower gardens and areas of campus to place bird, bat, and bee boxes to increase pollinator and bird diversity. In 2020, 89% of students voted in favor of converting small lawn areas to wildflower gardens, so we expect significant support for related projects. We will also design the educational material to be printed on signs and brochures. In phase 3, we will plant the wildflowers, build bird, bat, and bee boxes, and distribute educational material and install signs with bird identification guides. If some aspects of this project are not approved by Trinity, the informational material we create will still benefit campus biodiversity, as it will educate the faculty, staff, and visitors of Trinity’s biodiversity. We expect that this project, if approved and funded, will increase native plant, pollinator, and bird populations on campus. In addition, it will raise awareness and appreciation for nature, as well as have significant positive effects on mental health. Furthermore, this project will improve the reputation of TCD and Dublin as a whole, drawing attention to the importance and value of Irish flora and fauna in the city.

This project focuses on the green spaces currently existing on Trinity College Dublin's main campus. The initial surveys would identify a subset of target areas for wildflower planting, sign installation, and bird and bat boxes within the main campus.

BUDGET: ~€586 total Bird Box Kits: ~€14.09 (10 total) Bat Box Kits: ~€39.62 (5 total) Bee Box Kits: ~€20 each (5 total) Seeds: ~€13.99-19.99/package (https://www.thegardenshop.ie/seeds/flowers/wild-flowers/) Screws: €1.29-2.19/20 screws (https://www.woodies.ie/diy-building-materials/screws-fixings/screws/wood-screws) Drill: ~€35 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=electric+drill&ref=nb_sb_noss) PPE: ~€22.32/box of surgical gloves Hand Sanitizer: €5.99-9.99/500ml Custom Plastic Signs: ~€15 (3 total) https://www.vistaprint.ie/signs-posters/plastic-signs?PCXTVATINCLUSIVE=&coupon=&gclid=CjwKCAjwx6WDBhBQEiwA_dP8rd1F-pvXLZMb1RwoQOFWbCmk2RgyWTwmHvqlwBgsnICXCdxl9IJJLxoCnnEQAvD_BwE&partner=google&ps_vtp=4589941723513137007kwd-127947597c1007850g&ps_vtp2=gcheap+signsp380852693001&utm_id=1A2771883010237535729 Acrylic Paint Kit: ~€14 (https://www.artnhobby.ie/acrylic-painting-box-set-21pc?currency=EUR&gclid=CjwKCAjwx6WDBhBQEiwA_dP8rWdnWG1317YzQb6bfmrcoXSEGjgD__v4vZoiB1EZoro0InWk9kt7xxoCCdUQAvD_BwE) Brushes: ~€7 (https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwi5iuDqmeXvAhXO6-0KHUqUA8oYABAfGgJkZw&sig=AOD64_0uzD2_I9vbukiNWVm9wYcKO-PDyQ&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwibndvqmeXvAhWIUBUIHTeVCPgQpysI9QE&adurl=)

Phase 1: Bird surveys and other research would be carried out completely socially distanced by project coordinators with input from Dr. Steve Waldren and other academic staff.Phase 2: Meetings with Trinity College Faculty and Staff will be carried out on zoom. Constructing bird, bat, and bee boxes would include online tutorials and socially distanced building sessions. Phase 3: Installing signage, installing bird, bat, and bee boxes, and planting seeds would be carried out socially distanced and all installation would require gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer.