27 Principles of the Galway National Park City where:
- tackling Climate Change underpins all local government policies especially in the areas of transport, housing, energy and the environment.
- volunteerism from schools, colleges, residential areas and places of employment on local green initiatives becomes a norm and where the last Saturday of every month is encouraged as a ‘Citizens for the Environment Volunteer Day’.
- living space for a diverse range of wildlife is provided through increased recognition of the need to protect and enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitats by way of the policies of local government and that of other relevant organisations.
- a series of linked woodlands, meadows, wetlands, parks, waterways and green spaces provide ‘ecological corridors’ for wildlife to move into and out of the city.
- community native tree and wildflower plantings become an annual feature of Galway city.
- a network of walkways and cycleways are developed within the city including that of a ‘botharín’ (boreen) network, that link into the proposed Greenways of county Galway and beyond.
- non-car modes of transport are prioritised.
- people of all ages and abilities can enjoy, explore and learn in high quality green spaces and a natural world within the city’s boundaries.
- people can take advantage of natural Outdoor Gyms.
- the students of schools and colleges have the opportunities to learn in Outdoor Classrooms and in Outdoor Laboratories provided by local natural environments.
- schools teach a ‘Sustainability, Conservation and Wellbeing through Nature’ type module with a local as well as a global content.
- Galway-based science institutes and third-level educational establishments are internationally renowned centres of excellence for biodiversity, environmental and green technology research that endeavour where possible to give such research a local focus and/or implementation by way of a Citizen Science ethos.
- art is recognised as a creative medium to bring Nature into people’s lives.
- new and developing Smart City and data analytics technologies are used to promote a Green and Healthy city.
- reduction, reuse, recycling and upcycling is a way of life.
- where each neighbourhood has easy access to sports fields, passive recreational areas, natural habitats and community organic gardens.
- green spaces and natural areas are recognised as highly beneficial to people’s mental and physical health.
- the medical profession provides whenever possible a ‘Green Prescription’ to patients by recommending outdoor activities such as walking in natural landscapes.
- people are encouraged to become urban farmers and grow organic food at home, in allotments and in neighbourhood/school/workplace gardens.
- the retail and the hospitality sectors recognise that Climate Change and food miles matter and prioritise local organic produce and use where possible locally sustainable materials whilst reducing the use of plastics and food waste.
- local food markets, ‘slow food’ and neighbourhood harvest and social festivals are encouraged.
- planning regulations encourage green features such as the use of renewable energies, rooftop/vertical gardens, rainwater collection systems, community green space or native planting areas.
- workplaces and business parks promote biodiversity enhancements and healthy work environments.
- the All-Ireland Pollinator initiative, led by Galway City Council, is promoted amongst neighbourhood communities and workplaces by planting bee-haven native wildflower areas and encouraging regular litter picks and associated activities.
- a ‘Create a Wildlife Haven at Home’ is encouraged.
- the rural heritage of the city’s outer areas such as Menlo, Coolough, Castlegar and Ballindooley are protected.
- all sectors of society promote and develop a ‘circular economy’ ethos.