Training Events and Workshops

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Oisin Duffy  

Venue: National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford,  X91 PE03 

Date: Saturday, 22nd February, 2025

Time: 10:00 – 16:00 

Audience: Beginner to intermediate 

Fee: €20 Standard. Optionally, a Tree Swatch (€5) is available for purchase in advance of the workshop.

This workshop will introduce many of Ireland’s native and non-native tree and shrub species. Learn how to identify trees and shrubs during the winter months, when there is no foliage to assist in the identification. Following an introduction, overview, and insight into key identification features of Ireland’s trees and shrubs, you will take part  in field work to test your identification skills with the help of tutors. 

Webinar Leader: Kate Chandler 

Date: Wednesday, 5th March, 2025 

Time: 12:00 – 13:00  

Audience: Beginner 

Fee: Free 

Discover how to transform your garden into a thriving haven for wildlife this spring. In this webinar, with the support of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, we’ll explore the top actions you can take to enhance biodiversity and create a space that supports pollinators and other vital species.  

From lawn management to designing habitats for beneficial insects, you’ll gain practical tips and insights to make your garden a vibrant part of your local ecosystem. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, join us to learn how small changes can make a big impact! 

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Owen Beckett 

Venue:  Knocksink Wood Education Centre, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, A98 N295 

Date: Saturday, 10th May, 2025

Time: 10:30 – 16:30 

Audience: Beginner to intermediate 

Fee: €20 Standard .

Join us at Knocksink Nature Reserve, Wicklow, for a fascinating workshop exploring the world of solitary mining bees. This workshop provides an introduction to Ireland’s solitary bees, where we will look at the features of identification, as well as their life cycles, habitats, and where to find them. The main focus will be on mining bees. This will be followed by fieldwork to search for solitary bees and test your identification skills.   

Webinar Leader: Kate Moore 

Date: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025 

Time: 12:00 – 13:00  

Audience: Beginner to intermediate 

Fee: Free 

Join us for a lunchtime webinar ahead of Invasive Species Week 2025, where we’ll introduce the topic of invasive species in Ireland. This session will cover both plant and animal species across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. We’ll discuss what invasive species are, how they are spread, and their impacts the environment. Additionally, we’ll provide guidance on how to identify and report invasive species to support efforts in protecting Ireland’s biodiversity. 

Closed Event: This event is designed for individuals who have prior workshop experience or are actively engaged in an existing monitoring scheme. Registration details will be provided to participants who meet these criteria. For more information, please contact info@biodiversityireland.ie.

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Owen Beckett 

Venue:  Tramore Strand, Waterford, X91 PY24 

Date: Satuday,14th June, 2025

Audience: Intermediate to Advanced 

Fee: €20 Standard.

Join us for an immersive field day, where those who have previously completed an NBDC workshop or actively engage with existing National Biodiversity Data Centre’s monitoring schemes will have the opportunity to explore and identify a fascinating array of insect species with the guidance of an expert entomologists.   

During the day, you’ll visit various habitats around Tramore Strand, including coastal dunes and saltmarshes, to observe, collect, and identify native insect species. Expert guidance will help you recognise key features for accurate identification in real time and deepen your understanding of the ecological roles of different insect species in this unique coastal environment.  

Event Details

Workshop Leader: Una FitzPatrick

Venue: National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford, X91 PE03

Date: Saturday, 5th July, 2025

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Audience: Beginner to intermediate

Fee: €20 Standard. Fieldwork will utilise the Identification Guide to Ireland’s Grasses. This guide is available for purchase in advance at a discounted rate of €10.

If you are familiar with the different anatomical features associated with the grass family, it can help make grass identification considerably more accessible for inexperienced or improving botanists. Following an introduction and some insight to grasses in Ireland, you’ll be tested by some indoor specimens collected for the workshop, before taking some time in the afternoon to practice in the field.

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Paul Green 

Venue: Wexford County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93

Date: Friday, 18th July, 2025

Time: 10:00 – 16:00 

Audience: Beginner to intermediate 

Fee: €20 Standard.

You will be guided through the identification of wildflower species that are grouped within the family of Asteraceae, or the Daisy family. Following an introduction to branch of wildflowers and their main botanical features, there will be an opportunity to view and examine collected specimens from the field, some examples of which might include dandelions and their many various cousins, knapweeds, and thistles (amongst others). After which, you will practice identifying Asteraceae species in the field.

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Tom Gittings 

Venue: National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford, X91 PE03 

Date:  Saturday, 9th August, 2025

Time: 10:00 – 16:00 

Audience: Beginner to intermediate 

Fee: €20 Standard.

This beginner-friendly workshop will introduce you to the identification, ecology, and importance of hoverflies. Guided by an expert, you’ll learn about their mimicry, life cycles, and roles in supporting healthy ecosystems. Ideal for nature lovers and aspiring entomologists, this session combines engaging presentations with practical activities to deepen your understanding of these remarkable pollinators and pest controllers.

Closed Event: This event is designed for individuals who have prior workshop experience or are actively engaged in an existing monitoring scheme. Registration details will be provided to participants who meet these criteria. For more information, please contact info@biodiversityireland.ie.

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Paul Green 

Venue:  Tramore Strand, Waterford, X91 PY24 

Date: Saturday, 23rd August, 2025

Audience: Intermediate to Advanced 

Fee: €20 Standard.

Join us for an immersive plant field day at Tramore Strand, where participants who have previously completed a NBDC workshop or engage with existing monitoring schemes will have the opportunity to explore and identify a diverse range of plant species with the guidance of an expert botanists. This field day is perfect for those eager to expand their knowledge of plant identification in a real-world setting.  

During the day, you’ll visit various habitats around Tramore Strand, including coastal dunes and saltmarshes, to discover and identify native and introduced plant species. Expert guidance will be on hand to help you recognise key features for accurate plant identification and understand the ecological roles of different species in this unique coastal environment.  

Closed Event: This event is designed for individuals who have prior workshop experience or are actively engaged in an existing monitoring scheme. Registration details will be provided to participants who meet these criteria. For more information, please contact info@biodiversityireland.ie.

Event Details 

Workshop Leader: Owen Beckett 

Venue: National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford, X91 PE03

Date: Saturday, 8th November, 2025

Audience: Intermediate to Advanced 

Fee: €20 Standard.

This advanced Insect Microscope Workshop is designed for those who have previously completed a NBDC workshop. This hands-on session offers a unique opportunity to bring in your own insect specimens and examine them under the microscope with the help of experienced entomologists. 

Learn how to properly prepare and observe specimens to identify more complex insect taxa. Whether you’re interested in fine-tuning your microscopy skills or expanding your knowledge of insect identification, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their entomological expertise.