Banner image: Botanist, Sylvia Reynolds, empowers workshop participants with a greater understanding of Booterstown Nature Reserve's salt marsh flora 

Two important An Taisce properties provided a tapestry of habitats for 2025's Biodiversity Week.

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The Booterstown Marsh and Sand Spit Workshop 

Image above: The great group of participants in Booterstown where locals joined An Taisce's Clean Coasts, Climate Ambassadors along with the Coastal Research Group and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) School of Natural Sciences, to learn about the importance of two vital habitats on the south shore of Dublin Bay 

As part of the Clean Coasts Roadshow series and to celebrate National Biodiversity Week, Dublin locals joined forces with An Taisce and the Coastal Research Group, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) School of Natural Sciences, to learn about the importance of two vital habitats on the south shore of Dublin Bay.

The Booterstown Marsh and Sand Spit Workshop empowered participants with a greater understanding of the biodiversity and natural processes of Dublin Bay, the threats facing this important ecosystem, and the work being done to protect it.  

The workshop consisted of two field study experiences. The first was an investigation of the flora and fauna of the Booterstown Nature Reserve salt marsh, facilitated by botanist, Sylvia Reynolds, and Sean Hogan of BirdWatch Ireland's South Dublin Branch. 

The second field study was led by research fellow, Dr. Erica Terese Krueger, and research assistant, Conor Fox, from the Coastal Research Group, Geography, School of Natural Sciences TCD. The study focused on an emerging sand spit in Dublin Bay and its vital role in storm protection and biodiversity. 

Speaking about the event, Clean Coasts Biodiversity Officer, Liane Costello, “Dublin Bay and the Booterstown Nature Reserve are internationally important ecosystems that deserve our care and attention. Engaging, collaborative events like The Booterstown Marsh and Sand Spit Workshop highlight their importance, delve into the interconnections between habitats, and encourage local guardianship of our dwindling natural spaces.”  

Climate Action Officer, Aisha Devoy from the Climate Ambassador Programme added, "Taking the time to simply be in Nature is one of the most important things we can all do to maintain momentum, and move from a place of care and connection in climate action. The afternoon we spent on Booterstown Marsh and Sandspit reminded us of the constant dialogue between natural ecosystems and processes, necessitating that our adaptation and mitigation actions follow this example." 

The Clean Coasts Roadshow is a series of informative talks and workshops tailored for coastal communities across Ireland, taking place between January and May each year. This initiative brings together individuals interested in protecting their local beaches, seas, and marine environments. 

The Roadshow events cover a range of topics, including biodiversity, dune systems, marine litter, wildlife, sustainable developments, and the work of local groups and organisations. These events also serve as a platform for community groups to discuss practical matters, such as building volunteer capacity, attracting new members, and sharing responsibilities. 

This event was headed by An Taisce's Clean Coasts and Climate Ambassador Programmes and The Booterstown Nature Reserve Management Advisory Committee, in close collaboration with the Coastal Research Group, Geography, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dublin City Council and Dublin Bay Biosphere (UNESCO). 

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Climate Ambassadors: Pond-building Workshop at The Grove

The event took place in Morehampton Road Wildlife Sanctuary also known as The Grove. The space is held in trust by An Taisce and even though it has a relatively small footprint, it provides a home to a wealth of wildlife including bats, sparrowhawks, frogs and foxes.

The Climate Ambassador Programme's great workshop took place on Saturday 24 May for Biodiversity Week with ecologist Aoife O'Rourke from True Nature Ecology and Gobnait Ní Néill from The Grassroots Guild alongside Aisha Devoy, Climate Action Officer with Climate Ambassadors with Rebecca Jeffares from An Taisce's Dún Laoghaire Local Association and a wonderful group of enthusiastic participants. 

Adding a reliable source of fresh water is one of the most effective ways of supporting garden wildlife. A simple pond can offer a source of drinking water or even provide a home to a host of beautiful creatures from bees and dragonflies to birds and bats. Aside from biodiversity benefits, ponds also have a significant role to play in climate mitigation through carbon sequestration.

The Grove pond restoration and mini-pond workshop provided an opportunity to get hands-on, practical experience of restoring an urban pond. Participants will also gain the knowledge, skills and starter-kit needed to build a mini-pond of their own.

The workshop had two parts. The first half involved hands-on involvement creating a woven, stacked and planted-up protective border for the existing pond in the site. This process was designed to reinvigorate the pond, help to support biodiversity while also supporting its longevity. In the second half, the participants were guided through the process of creating their own mini-ponds. At the end of the day each participant was provided with a starter-kit to bring a little more fresh-water biodiversity to their home and garden.