Cartoon Saloon’s Interactive Biodiversity Exhibition Launches at Mayfair Library in Kilkenny

Cartoon Saloon, the renowned animation studio, has recently launched an innovative interactive biodiversity exhibition called Puffin Rock Habitats. Supported by the Heritage Council, this exhibition was officially opened by Minister Malcolm Noonan TD, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, at the newly established Mayfair Library in Kilkenny.

The Puffin Rock Habitats exhibition draws inspiration from Cartoon Saloon’s beloved Puffin Rock series. It aims to ignite a sense of wonder and enhance “nature literacy” among families with young children. Through the adventures of characters like young puffins Oona and Baba, and Marvin the otter, visitors are invited to explore diverse ecosystems. They can listen to underwater communications, observe tidal changes, learn about the essential role of pollinators in grasslands, and discover the intricacies of wetland habitats.

The exhibition is designed to be interactive and sensory, making it particularly engaging for young audiences. It’s free to the public and focuses on fostering a love for nature and a deep respect for biodiversity.

Minister Noonan praised the exhibition, stating:

“This extraordinary exhibition explores habitats and wildlife on Puffin Rock through the eyes of some of the show’s best-loved characters. It takes an interactive, sensory approach to engage young audiences to observe, explore, and most importantly, have fun in nature. Children have an innate connection to the natural world and have much to teach adults about what’s important in life. I’d like to pay tribute to Cartoon Saloon and the Heritage Council – two Kilkenny-based organizations with far-reaching impact – for their foresight in creating something so unique and innovative.”

Minister Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, also expressed her delight with the exhibition, noting that it effectively engages young families with biodiversity issues in a positive and accessible way. She highlighted that Puffin Rock Habitats exemplifies how creativity can inspire changes in personal behavior necessary to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.

Ann Mulrooney, the project lead at Cartoon Saloon, shared the inspiration behind the exhibition:

“This project was inspired by the stories and adventures of Puffin Rock, where nature and wildlife play such a central role. We are really happy to be able to develop this into a learning experience that can foster positive actions for nature in families. Cartoon Saloon celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary this year, and Puffin Rock Habitats is one of the many ways in which the studio’s rich contribution to Irish culture and heritage can be experienced.”

In addition to the exhibition, marine biologist Tasneem Khan has devised workshops that will accompany the exhibition and support the touring venues in using it as a learning tool for their communities. These hands-on workshops will be made available to primary schools nationwide through the Heritage Council’s Heritage in Schools Scheme. The exhibition and workshops are also complemented by a beautifully illustrated workbook of nature-based activities for children, written by Juanita Browne, which has been distributed free to all primary schools.

Families are encouraged to become ‘Puffin Rock Nature Heroes’ by exploring each habitat further through Ireland’s existing biodiversity initiatives, including the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the tools to combat biodiversity and habitat loss. She stated:

“We are currently fighting a battle to reverse the trends of biodiversity and habitat loss, but the real leaders are our young people who will go on to become the torchbearers of change. It’s our responsibility now to equip them with the tools they will need, in an accessible and optimistic way. The Puffin Rock Habitats exhibition will both inspire and entertain our young heroes.”

The exhibition is part of a broader plan to address biodiversity and habitat loss, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The Heritage Council’s biodiversity officer program, in collaboration with local authorities, aims to have a dedicated biodiversity officer in every local authority in Ireland by the end of 2024. These officers will collect data, undertake practical habitat restoration, and engage local communities, including children, to take action for biodiversity.

Selected as one of 24 projects for the Creative Climate Action Spark Fund in 2023, the Puffin Rock Habitats exhibition will run at Mayfair Library until July 17. Afterward, it will travel to the Skibbereen Arts Festival before embarking on a nationwide tour in 2024 and 2025.

For more information about the exhibition, workshops, and free educational materials, visit puffinrockhabitats.com.