Regeneration Nation

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Regeneration of deer antlers takes place in a well-defined yearly cycle: in most species, in spring the previous hard antler is cast from the permanent bony protuberance; the stump wound heals rapidly and wound healing is followed by the commencement of new (soft) antler regeneration; there follows in late spring and early summer, a period of rapid elongation (up to 2 cm/day); at this stage, the antler is wrapped with special pelage, known as the “velvet skin”; in late summer/early autumn, the process of calcification starts to accelerate, blood supply to the velvet skin ceases and the velvet is shed to expose hard bony antlers for the mating season; the hard antler is retained over winter and cast in the next spring to trigger a new round of antler regeneration.

Science Week is a national celebration of science with hundreds of events for people of all ages taking place across Ireland. Science Week 2024 will be taking place from the 10th – 17th November.   

The theme for Science Week 2024 is harnessing the power of regeneration. The decisions we make today will greatly impact future generations and so it is important to take learnings from the past to inform our decisions for the future.   From protecting our natural world, adopting more sustainable approaches to energy supply, embracing technological advancements and investigating new solutions to safeguard our health, it’s time to reimagine the way we engage with the world around us and enhance our collective strengths.    

This Science Week, there is something for every generation with events happening all over the country and in the midlands through various activities organised by Midlands Science. From astronomy nights to an event exploring swifts and others exploring cold water swimming and gardening, one focus is regenerating our  relationship with nature. Research from the American Psychological Association has shown that spending time in nature can improve our cognitive function and research by the USA National Recreation & Parks association showed that time in nature can reduce stress. This makes sense when you think about time spent in nature and such connections with nature may help us to develop regenerative attitudes which benefit the earth.

We become more conscious of actions we can take that are regenerative such as becoming more engaged in the circular economy. A circular economy is a way of using resources that minimizes waste, pollution, and environmental impact. In a circular economy, waste and primary raw material use are minimised by maintaining the value of products and materials for as long as possible. This requires diverse solutions informed by everything from ecology to social science, demanding action as well as attitudinal change.

Nearly 60% of those who live on earth, over 4 billion people, live in cities. Some people spend much of their time front of a screen, with Reportal estimating that the average internet user spends 6 hours and 35 minutes online every day. Reconnecting with nature and becoming more aware of attitudes and actions which can support regeneration can be a very impactful thing to do.

Some actions to consider.

Find nature wherever you are – it’s all around you. It could be a garden or park, even in urban locations where it can be harder to see nature, it’s in courtyards and window boxes. Look closer and look for the unexpected such as an urban fox [if you see one make sure to record it on the National Biodiversity Centre App as they are studying urban foxes in Ireland right now].

Get out into nature – visit green spaces and blue spaces. This can lift your mood and use all your senses to connect. The sound of birdsong, the smell of meadowsweet in the heat of summer, the taste of blackberries from the hedgerow, these are all small sensory moments of joy.

Exercise in nature – exercise outside, a walk or a run or a swim in the lake or the sea. The experience of being outside is totally different than the gym or the pool. If you can leave your headphones at home and listen to the sounds around you.

Combine nature and creativity – if you are interested in writing or drawing or painting, notice the nature around you and maybe undertake some of your creative activities outside. Think of Wordsworth as he wandered lonely as a cloud encountering the golden field of daffodils.

Protect nature – become a voice for nature through your actions and choices. Recycling, using public transport, being part of a community clean up, letting policy makers now you can about nature.

You can find out lots more about nature on www.biodiversityireland.ie