CAISIE at the Bloom Flower Show

CAISIE at the Bloom Flower Show

CAISIE hosted a display at the Bloom Flower Show from Thursday 2nd to Monday 6th June 2011. Bloom is Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event. The show attracted almost 90,000 visitors to the 70 acre site at the Visitor’s Centre in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The CAISIE project team had an opportunity to talk to people who had an interested in horticulture and general enthusiasts. Some of the visitors to the CAISIE stand expressed their lack of knowledge on invasive plants and the impact these had on biodiversity in Ireland. There was significant interest in invasive species and the work being carried out by CAISIE in Lough Corrib and the Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation. CAISIE achieved its objective of raising awareness to large volume of people who sell or purchase and grow plants in Ireland.

CAISIE Display was set up on the evening of the 2nd June 2011, prior to the show starting. The display showcased some live plant species such as the Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, Giant Rhubarb and the Japanese knotweed. These live plant species drew huge attention as people recognised the plants but were unable to name the plant and were unaware that these were invasive species.

Helen Moran making finishing touches to the display.

Dr Joe Caffrey and Stephanie Evers talking to interested visitors about invasive species.

Dr Joe Caffrey and Stephanie Evers talking to interested visitors about invasive species.

NB: While live invasive species were displayed at the demo, every effort was made to ensure that no seeds or plant fragments that could perpetuate or spread any of the species were released. Following the show all of the invasive species were safely disposed of.

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