The Fenit Town Hall Dunes Action Group (DAG) was delighted to co-host a World Biodiversity Day Event May 22nd 2021 at the Fenit Island Tombolo. The event was in conjunction with Coastwatch Ireland. The event involved two afternoon fieldtrips.
The field trips were an opportunity for participants to walk Fenit Island tombolo with national-level experts to learn more about the dunes, saltmarsh, mudflats, seagrass lawn, and what the sea left at the last tidemark!
‘We are moving carefully, gingerly with masks and in small numbers – but its magic to be out on a shore again’ said Karin Dubsky, event speaker, Coastwatch Coordinator.
“Coastal dunes are a fabulous coastal defence against ever increasing storm activity. Biodiversity is essential to stabilising these sandy hills to make them effective – they need our help” explains Dr Kevin Lynch, event guest speaker and coastal scientist from NUI Galway.
Joining Dr. Lynch and Karin was Martha Farrell, guest speaker on behalf of the Maharees Conservation Association and Coastal Communities Alliance. The Maharees group was the winner of the National Clean Coasts An Taisce Ocean Hero ‘Group of the Year’ Award 2018.
The limited tickets to the event, advertised by Coastwatch on Event Bright, were gone in a flash. With COVID number restrictions, group size was limited to 15 people including speakers. When it’s safe to do so DAG hopes to host additional events open to all interested in participating!
The Fenit Dunes Action Group is a subgroup of the Fenit Town Hall community organisation created in January 2021. DAG was created to promote stewardship of the Fenit Island Tombolo that connects Fenit Island to the mainland.