🌿 Spongeworks: Working with nature on the Aughrim River Catchment 🌿
East Wicklow Rivers Trust, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, Wicklow Uplands Council, and the Local Authority Waters Programme, is excited to invite you to the official launch of the Spongeworks Project in the Aughrim Catchment!
About the Project
The Aughrim River catchment has been selected as one of just 12 study areas across Europe for the prestigious EU Horizon Spongeworks project. This cutting-edge initiative explores how nature-based solutions (NBS) can effectively help to reduce flooding, prevent drought, and support biodiversity.
The project focuses on restoring the natural "sponge" capacity of our soils and improving water management across the entire catchment—from the uplands to farmland and through the town of Aughrim. Read more about our project here, and on the Horizon Spongeworks project page here.
The evening will feature key presentations and discussions from Dr. Mary Bourke (Trinity College Dublin) on some of the insights on nature-based solutions from the Slow Waters Project, and Jim Callery (Climate Action Officer, Wicklow County Council) who will give an overview of the Spongeworks project and why the Aughrim catchment was chosen.
This is an opportunity for the community to come together to discuss practical steps for protecting the Aughrim River, reducing flood and drought risk, and talking about climate resilience for people, farming, and nature!
Join the Launch Event!
Everyone is welcome to attend, learn more about this vital research, and share your ideas on how we can work together as a community to protect our river and build climate resilience.
Date: Tuesday, 27th January
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: National Disabled Angling Facility & Tidy Towns Pavilion Centre, Aughrim
Refreshments: Tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be provided
Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/coffee-cake-catchments-spongeworks-tickets-1980371364060 (so we know how many people to arrange refreshments for!)
