Archived Stories
Joint EAZA/BIAZA European Zoohorticulture Group Conference
14th April 2009
Event Date: 2nd – 5th June 2009, hosted by Dublin Zoo
INTRODUCTION:
Dublin Zoo is proud to host the European Zoohorticulture Group Conference. Dublin Zoo is situated on the western side of Dublin, within the Phoenix Park – the largest walled urban park in Europe – see www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/PhoenixPark/.
Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest European Zoos, founded in 1831. Dublin Zoo has been fortunate to have received funding from the Irish government for redevelopment work since 1996, and many old areas have been totally renewed. The current Development Plan designates several biogeographical areas within the zoo. Most recent habitats completed are the Kaziranga Forest Trail for the zoos herd of Asian elephants, - a densely planted (mainly with various bamboos) trail with views of the elephants through gaps in the vegetation, and the African Savanna habitat, a large area (22,000m2) with southern white rhinoceros, giraffe, ostrich and common zebra, planted with loads of grasses and many South African plants – due to open April 2009!
Ireland enjoys a usually mild temperate climate. Dublin seldom gets more than a few nights below freezing each winter, though this year was bad for everyone, and many of our tender plants suffered – for instance there will be far fewer Echium pininana flowering this year unfortunately! Summer weather can be hot and sunny, but also it can be very wet - come prepared!
PROGRAMME:
This will follow the usual format, an informal icebreaker on the evening of June 2nd at Dublin Zoo. The following three days will consist of morning talks and information exchange, with tours and visits in the afternoons.
Wednesday 3rd June
Master planning and plant selection, followed by a tour of Dublin Zoo www.dublinzoo.ie
Thursday 4th June
Peat and peat free topics. Visit to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council www.ipcc.ie and a composting facility at Bord na Móna (Irish Peat Development Board) www.bnm.ie
Friday 5th June
Plant conservation, and national collections, followed by a visit to the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin www.botanicgardens.ie
REGISTRATION:
Please see attached Registration form. Dublin Zoo would like to draw your attention to the benefit of early booking, both for registration and hotel costs.
GETTING TO DUBLIN ZOO:
Dublin Zoo is approximately 15 kms from Dublin Airport. Ryanair is possibly the cheapest of the airlines that fly in to Dublin. There is a shuttle bus from the airport to Heuston Railway Station, about 1 km from the Zoo. Near Heuston Station (Park Gate Street) there is the Phoenix Park shuttle bus to Dublin Zoo; buses depart on the hour every hour at time of writing.
ACCOMODATION:
The recommended hotel for the conference is the Ashling Hotel www.ashlinghotel.ie within easy walking distance to the Dublin Zoo - about 1km. Please contact the hotel direct to make a reservation on +353 1 6772324 or via email info@ashlinghotel.ie and quote EZG Conference.
Dublin Zoo has also negotiated a single room occupancy rate with the Hilton Kilmainham Dublin, about 1.5km from Dublin Zoo, www.hilton.co.uk/dublinkilmainham. Contact the hotel direct to make a reservation on +353 1 420 1800.
CATERING:
Breakfast is included in the cost of the hotel. All other meals will be organised within Dublin Zoo. To help with catering please indicate on the registration form and special dietary requirements and if you will be attending the evening meals.
All enquiries please to ezg2009@dublinzoo.ie
To facilitate delegates who need to leave early on Friday evening the last tour is to the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin www.botanicgardens.ie which is only 5kms from the airport.
Please click HERE to download application form