*Ruth Bennett Coady (Waters of LIFE) and Peter Slattery (Clare Local Development Company) at Lough Graney shore.
PROTECTING East Clare’s natural heritage is the focus of a public meeting in Flagmount on Wednesday (August 20th).
‘Tackling Invasive Plant Species in East Clare’ is hosted by Waters of LIFE in partnership with Clare Local Development Company in Lough Graney Community Centre at 7:30pm.
The evening begins with a talk by Clare-based botanist Phoebe O’Brien on how to identify species of concern. Waters of LIFE catchment ecologist Ruth Bennett Coady will outline the links to local water quality while CLDC will share plans to tackle invasive plant species in the Graney sub-catchment.
Locals will also be asked to share what they know about the presence of invasive plant species in the area.
“Community knowledge is the most valuable tool in tackling invasive plant species,” says Ruth Bennett Coady of Waters of LIFE. “We’re working with Clare Local Development Company on a ground-up approach to species management. It can be as simple as pinning a spot on a map where you may have seen one of our species of concern. And if you’re not familiar what they look like, it’s a great time to learn”.
The National Invasive Species Database has records of Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendron in the Graney sub-catchment. Waters of LIFE’s partnership with CLDC will also look to identify areas of self-sown conifer trees. 53% of the area is forested and the EPA have identified forestry as local pressure on water quality.
Ruth continued, “The evening will be very interactive. It will be really visual and anyone with an interest in preserving our natural heritage won’t be walking away empty handed”.
The event is under the umbrella of National Heritage Week. Over 80 events are taking place in Clare alone to celebrate cultural, built and natural heritage from August 16th to August 24th.
Waters of LIFE have also recruited over 25% of eligible East Clare farmers into their agri-environmental programme pilot. The programme rewards farmers for the nature value of their land and funds actions to improve the health of rivers and streams. Entry into year two of the programme is currently open at www.watersolife.ie/eoi. The deadline for expression of interest is August 31st 2025.
