People in Galway are being asked to help bring an exciting new dimension to the multi-habitat Terryland Forest Park this Saturday.
The Tuatha volunteer group plans to create a new 1,000sq metre multi-level pond in the park this Saturday, September 28, as the first step in an ambitious wetland project that will over the coming year encompass a wet woodland and marshes as part of a major nature restoration initiative for Galway city being undertaken in partnership with the Parks section of Galway City Council.
The project is taking place in the lead-up to Terryland Forest Park’s 25th birthday celebrations next year.
“This wetland project will wonderfully complement the other wildlife habitats in Terryland Forest Park such as native woodlands, native wildflower meadows, waterways, farm pasture and karst limestone outcrops,” said Brendan Smith of the Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park.
“Ponds not only significently help reverse biodiversity loss by providing crucial homes to species such as frogs, newts, birds, damselflies, dragonglies, reeds, water lilies and bats, but they also serve as key agents in fighting climate change as they have the potential to retain up to 30 times the amount of carbon as woods and grasslands.
“Sadly Ireland over the last 100 years has lost over 50% of its wetlands due to drainage, infilling, industrial peat extraction, pollution and climate change.”
This project is taking place within an area of the city that was largely part of the Corrib waterways system until it gradually dried out from the early 1840s onwards due to the constructon of the dyke wall on what became known as Dyke Road.
Funding for this ambitious wetlands project came from the Hare’s Corner programme of Burrenbeo and from Galway City Council, with ecological expertise and management being provided by Paula Kearney, biodiversity officer with Galway City Council.
Last Saturday, students from the University of Galway began the work in creating this new wetland. Now members of general public are asked to continue the compressing of the soil on the pond’s base for water retention and the planting of suitable flora on its embankments.
Volunteers will meet at 10am beside the ‘An Nead’ (Irish for ‘Nest’ ) hut at the Sandy Road entrance to Terryland Forest Park - to find it on Google Maps visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/vhkRyq7htZe9SM3f6.
Volunteers are asked to wear suitable clothing and boots for wet and outdoor conditions. For further information email [email protected].
