WORLD Wetlands Day will be celebrated in Shannon this Thursday, February 2, at a lunchtime event to explore their importance to the environment.
Wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies, and more.
Yet, nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests.
It is urgent that we raise national and global awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people’s understanding of these important ecosystems and two community events are taking place for Clare.
The Shannon Town Community Wetlands Project in conjunction with the Local Authority Waters Programme will host a very special lunchtime event to explore how wetland restoration work has occurred on this important site.
The event, led by LAWPRO’s Community Water Officer, Ruairí Ó Conchúir, will include volunteers from the Shannon Community Wetlands Project and will focus on the importance of wetlands restoration, local biodiversity and the role healthy wetlands play.
Please bring along suitable clothing and your wellington boots. The event will take place at the Shannon Town Community Wetlands Site and the meeting point will be the car park next to Gaelscoil Donncha Rua (Eircode – V14 AY84). All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Meanwhile, a second event takes place in East Clare on Saturday morning, February 4 at 11am. This event will explore the importance of wetlands in supporting biodiversity and addressing climate change in the county.
The event will again be led by Mr Ó Conchúir, and will include local input from Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary. It will focus on wetland habitat type, local biodiversity and the ecosystem services role that wetlands play.
The event will be family friendly and suitable for children, and people of all ages, helping us better understand why wetlands are so important.
Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for the weather. The meeting point will the car park area of the Coillte site at White Sands, Lough Graney, Cahermurphy, Flagmount, East Clare. This is a free event and all are welcome.