Launch of Kilteevan Three Year Strategic Plan
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Local children chatting with David McNicholas from Woodrow Solutions
On Thursday 12 September 2013, Kilteevan Community Development Group Limited launched their Three Year Strategic Plan for Kilteevan. The launch was attended by a large number of adults and young people from the community.
The plan was developed by environmental consultants ,Woodrow Sustainable Solutions. Speaking at the launch Eileen Fahey, Chairperson Kilteevan Community Development Group Limited, welcomed the audience and said that the night marked a new phase in community development for Kilteevan. "Planning", Ms Fahey said "is vitally important in helping us to do better job even in unfavourable times".
In her presentation, Ms. Sharon Eastwood, Woodrow Consultants, outlined how the plan was produced following a consultation process in the community. .The plan emphasised the importance of raising awareness of Kilteevan's landscape, environment and heritage assets.
Ms. Eastwood highlighted strengths and opportunities for Kilteevan community and presented a number of short, medium and long term goals that might shape and form future development in the area.
David Mc Nicholas, wildlife expert, provided interesting information on Kilteevan wildlife with particular emphasis on bats. He outlined how scientists are becoming increasingly interested in the fact that bats don't seem to age like humans. This may have implications for human medicine in the future. Surprisingly too bats don't get into your hair!
As darkness fell, those in attendance, using high tech bat detectors, provided by Woodrow experienced some of Kilteevan's wildlife. The high frequency bat detectors made the bat sound audible to the human ear. Those who kept their eyes fixed on the skyline also managed to see some of their aerobatic antics.
The young people in attendance enthusiastically engaged Mr Mc Nicholas for a considerable time with wildlife questions. At the end of the night all were in agreement that Woodrow must visit Kilteevan soon again!
Kilteevan's Three Year Strategic Plan was funded Roscommon LEADER Partnership Company and Kilteevan Community Development Group Limited. The Group, subject to funding, look forward to the opportunity of implementing the plan in the future.
