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THERE will be a training event for people interested in taking part in the Coastwatch Survey on Sunday, September 17 on Fenit Island at 2pm, meeting at the carpark at the back beach.
September 15 marks the beginning of the annual Coastwatch Survey. The survey is a fantastic way to get involved in a fun citizen science programme and for local people to make a difference in tackling the issues that are threatening their favourite stretches of beach and coastline.
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From its humble beginnings in Dublin Bay in the 1980s, Coastwatch has grown into a massive network of volunteers, groups, schools, universities and environmental organisations that spans Europe; it provides vital information on coastal issues ranging from illegal dumping and pollution to invasive species and erosion.
With many thousands of kilometres of coastline even in Ireland, this is information that governmental organisations could never gather themselves – yet it is vital for creating policy and protecting our increasingly fragile coastal habitats.
Participation is easy and can be done while taking your regular stroll on the beach, while rockpooling with the kids or while walking the dog. A survey questionnaire can be downloaded, which is then filled in as you walk along the coast.
Since that weekend falls on CleanCoasts Ireland’s Big Beach Clean Weekend, they will be combining the training with a cleanup of the beach.
For those unable to drop in on the day, survey forms and all other information can be found at www.coastwatch.org or email David at education@traleebaywetlands.org or call 066-7126700.
Dr David McCormick, Ecologist at Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre says: “Coastwatching is a fantastic way for kids and adults of all ages to learn more about our wonderful coastline while making a real difference to help solve the problems that it faces into the future.”
