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The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is hosting / co-hosting 4 different community events in Co. Clare this week to Celebrate World Wetlands Day.

You are invited to join LAWPRO and our partners to mark World Wetlands Day, which is a global day celebrating the importance of wetlands. This year’s theme is ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’

The 4 different free community events will focus on wetlands in County Clare and how they support biodiversity, help address climate change, and support human wellbeing.

All events are free and open to all.

Event No. 1:     In advance of World Wetlands Day, you are invited to celebrate the newly created wetlands and the unveiling of a new illustrated sign highlighting the importance of wetlands.

Please join LAWPRO, Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns, local Councillors and others to celebrate this event, followed by a reception with refreshments in the Miltown Malbay Community Centre (Church Street).

What:              Opening of newly created wetlands & unveiling of a new illustrated sign

Where:            Church Car Park, Miltown Malbay & Reception in Community Centre

When:             Thursday, 1^st February @ 11:00 am

Event No. 2:     Clare Wetlands Networking Event.Please join LAWPRO, Clare County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland, with important community case studies, at this wetlands networking event for County Clare.

What:               Celebrate World Wetlands Day – County Clare Networking Event

Where:             Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Clare V95 HOXK

When:              Thursday, 1^st February 2024 @ 7pm

Event No. 3:     You are invited by Shannon Town Community Wetlands (STCW) and LAWPRO to celebrate the importance of local wetlands with an illustrated talk in Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon Town and the Launch of Amateur Photography Competition focused on wetlands and biodiversity in County Clare (with light lunch) followed by a family friendly visit to the Shannon Town Community Wetlands site next to Gaelscoil Doinnach Rua.

What:               Talk, Launch & Wetlands Site Visit

Where:             Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon Town (V14 WK50) followed by visit to Wetlands Site (parking at V14 AY84)

When:              Friday, 2^nd February 2024 @ 12:30 pm

Event No. 4:     You are invited by LAWPRO and various East Clare community group to a family friendly event to celebrate World Wetlands Day on the beautiful shores of Lough Graney. The event will highlight the importance of East Clare wetlands, local folklore and tradition and the ecosystem services wetlands provide to us while supporting our wellbeing. Please bring along suitable clothing and footwear.

What:              Family friendly field trip (talk & walk) – Lough Graney

Where:            Car Park Area, Silver Sands, Lough Graney, Cahermurphy, East Clare

When:             Saturday, 3^rd February @ 11:00 am

Why not find out more about the wonderful wetlands in Shannon Town and wetlands in general?

More on this later, but did you know Faro, Portugal has a massive coastal wetlands?

But back to Shannon Town and I just had a lovely muddy New Year’s walk in the Shannon Wetlands in glorious sunshine!

Last week I was in Faro Portugal. And while we may have 7km2 of wetlands they have 700km2!

In fact, when the 1755 tsunami hit Lisbon, Faro was saved by its wetlands!
“The tsunami destroyed some coastal fortresses in the Algarve and, in the lower levels, it razed several houses. Almost all the coastal towns and villages of the Algarve were heavily damaged, except Faro, which was protected by sandy banks. In Lagos, the waves reached the top of the city walls. For the coastal regions, the destructive effects of the tsunami were more disastrous than those of the earthquake.”
https://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-portugal-1755

Here’s a short video showing these wetlands from the aircraft when leaving Faro for Shannon. (Fun fact the end of the video shows the most southernly point in Europe!)

It was good to see the ponds much fuller with water than recent months and the areas of land that have been cleared should have fresh growth in the Spring.

Community Wetlands Forum made a very informative fact sheet about the Shannon Town Community Wetlands

https://communitywetlandsforum.ie/388222-2/

Wonderful write-up early last month at https://communitywetlandsforum.ie/388222-2/

We had an excellent turn out on the from young (Little Bubbles play school Shannon) and old alike.

The weather was kind to us and we all enjoyed the knowledgeable talks from Ruairí (LAWPRO) and others on the day.

Here’s a few more photos from the day.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HWKANizGLynMW2bQ9

Book now to join us later this month! 🙂

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/study-visit-to-shannon-town-wetlands-tickets-687238106677