Imeachtaí

BTO Northern Ireland are marking WWD by holding a birdwatching walk on the shores of Lough Neagh. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the mental health benefits of getting out into nature and spotting birds on the way – perfectly aligned to the well-being theme of WWD 2024.

Join BTO’s Engagement Co-ordinator in NI, Jemma, to see how many birds species you can see on this important (and massive) wetland along the Antrim Lough shore.

Sign up by visiting: bit.ly/BTONIWetlandsWalk

The maximum group size if 30 people and booking is ESSENTIAL.

The Biodiversity and Education team from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are hosting an event at Peatlands Park which lies within the Lough Neagh Ramsar site (also designated ASSI/SAC protected area).

GCE Biology students from within our council borough have been invited to attend our programme to mark World Wetlands Day which is our inaugural effort to formally recognise this important day.

The programme will comprise discussion and demonstration of

• the importance of the ecosystem services which wetlands generally and more specifically peatlands provide.
• The present problems/issues contributing to the poor condition of 80% of our peatland in Northern Ireland
• Ongoing and future peat recovery projects

The site manager and peatland experienced guides will lead guided walks around the Peatlands Park site to showcase bogs which are in good and poor condition and highlight the measures currently employed to improve and restore areas which have become degraded due to commercial cutting and extraction of peat.

Students will also have an opportunity to discover the unique biodiversity of this site and learn about the adaptations of peatland flora in particular the key role of sphagnum moss the bog-builder.

On 3^rd February we are running a Rhododendron Removal Volunteer Event which is open to the public (20 places) this is intended to promote the human wellbeing messaging of healthy Wetlands/Peatlands including the physical and mental health benefits of working in nature settings.

Join the Community Wetlands Forum and Newtownforbes Tidy Towns for a wetland walk and talk to celebrate World Wetlands Day. We are delighted to be hosting a wetland walk and talk in Newtownforbes on Saturday 3 February, meeting at 11am at Clonguish GAA Club in Newtownforbes.

We will hear about the efforts of the local community to develop and manage the walking trail, which provides a chance to connect with a variety of local wetland types. You will also hear about what other groups are doing to promote and protect wetlands in their communities from the Community Wetlands Forum Development Officer, Mícheál Callaghan. This event is a precursor to a webinar series that the CWF will be running in the spring around how to develop and manage a community wetland walk.

Register here in advance. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors. If you have any questions about the event please email development@communitywetlandsforum.ie

Interested in the River Boyne’s woodlands? We’d love to welcome you to a presentation on “The Boyne’s Lost Floodplain Woodlands”. Booking is essential via this link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-boynes-lost-floodplain-woodlands-tickets-798354027387?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete 

The event is organised by Boyne Rivers Trust & Meath County Council and we’d love to see you there, celebrating the rich woodland/wetland heritage of the county.

To mark World Wetlands Day 2024, Kildare County Council (KCC) have invited Dr. Elaine McGoff, national wetlands specialist, to present on the importance of wetlands, current trends in their status, and ways that we can protect our precious freshwater systems.

A new KCC-commissioned booklet entitled “County Kildare’s Wonderful Wetlands”, edited by Dr. Peter Foss and Bridget McLoughlin, will also be formally launched at the event.

The event will be held at McAuley Place, Naas.

Registration is essential – please email Meabh Boylan at biodiversity@kildarecoco.ie if you wish to attend

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, NPWS at Coole Park Nature Reserve (Gort) invite you to come and see this beautiful area and and its rich wetland habitats and wildlife!

Staff will be running a free guided walk and bird-spotting event at our turlough site, led by NPWS conservation and guide staff in Coole Park Nature Reserve.

Booking is not required – please meet at the Visitor Centre. at 2:30pm.

Though telescopes and binoculars are available, if you have your own, please bring them.

Please note: The walk is not suitable for very young children; only assistance dogs are permitted at events at Coole.

Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco and Activity Park are running a number of events celebrating World Wetlands Day in 2024.

On Feb 2nd, Alan Balfe, Senior Ecologist at Tralee Bay Wetlands Ecology Park will run to first of  a series of Guided Walks in an around Tralee wetland sites.

The 2nd Feb event in a paid event (€5 for adults, kids free).

All events are part-supported by Kerry County Council.

Join the Farm Peat team  at Ballydangan Bog on World Wetlands Day, February 2nd from 2 – 4pm, to hear from local farmers and community groups protecting nature in South Roscommon.

The Farm Peat Team will be joined on the day by  Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project, and the Uí Máine Kingdom Project. You will have a chance to learn about farming on peat soils, red grouse conservation, the lowland karst landscape, and the sharing of folklore through art.

It will be an opportunity to get some fresh air, spend time on the bog, and build new connections with the landscape and each other. All are welcome, farmers especially!

Where: Ballydangan Bog, Lower Kilcashel, Co. Roscommon

Join Cork City’s Biodiversity Officers to explore nature around the heart of Cork City!

On February 2nd a guided walk of the Lough will take place. Please wear suitable clothing/footwear for the conditions and meet at Glendalough Park at 14:00 (the walk will last approximately 1 hr).

This is a free event but booking is required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/walk-and-talk-around-the-lough-in-cork-city-for-world-wetlands-day-tickets-807589872047?aff=oddtdtcreator

Cloughjordan Heritage Group invite you to participate in local events as part of a global celebration of wetlands.

On 2nd February we will be hosting talks on:

• The Cloughjordan Conservation Cluster: Lough Nahinch Survey and Tipperary Wetlands Survey – a talk by Jim Ryan (ecologist), Community Wetlands Forum
• Nature, well-being and green prescribing – Dr Roisin Costello (GP)

Meet at the Thomas McDonagh Museum 2-3pm. Admission is FREE