Come and help!

We are still frequently asked what the Cabragh Wetlands are, so for those of you still unsure, here is a quick overview of what the Trust is about.

Keen local amateur naturalists were aware that something catastrophic could be about to happen, when in the late 1980’s, the decision to close the Sugar Plant was taken. The settling ponds were a haven for a large number of birds, both native permanent residents and seasonal migrants from both the Arctic and Africa, and the flood plains around were well known for the range of plants and insects that flourished. It was feared that the habitat faced possible destruction, with housing estates or landfill mooted as potential “developments” for this unique ecosystem.

The settling ponds were lost, but the formation of the Cabragh Wetlands Trust, generous assistance from the Sugar Company and support from a variety of authorities (N. Tipp County Council, Shannon Development, Leader, Heritage Council, Tipperary Enterprise, FAS and others) enabled the Trust to purchase a few acres and work with local landowners to manage the larger wetland area in an ecologically sustainable way.

Conservation is the Trust’s raison d’etre, but we are in this for the long term, and the best way to ensure the permanent survival of this haven is to make it a community project, and to make recreation and education secondary priorities. So while we are committed to maintaining the wetlands ecosystem, water purity, healthy habitats and biodiversity, we are also establishing the Wetlands Centre as a forum to enhance public understanding of environmental issues, as a support for all levels of education through field studies courses and research and through public lectures and courses. We are doing what we can to promote both our natural and cultural heritage, and to encourage community involvement and recreation.

That’s a very broad brief, and one that needs support and involvement by a large number of people. If you want to help, come out and see us one morning, or call us on 0504-43879. The next Open Day will be on Saturday August 30^th during Heritage Week, but the walkways are almost always open for a quiet, contemplative, restorative stroll.

Wild at the Wetlands 2008!

A day of events at Cabragh Wetlands to celebrate Heritage Week 2008 will take place on Saturday 30th August from 1-5pm.

There will be two workshops sponsored by an Arts Grant from North Tipperary County Council to cater for adults and children. Placesf for these workshops is limited and registration is essential so please contact us using the details below if you are interested in attending the workshops to ensure that places are available.

1. The Studio, Holycross will facilitate an Art and Craft workshop for 20 children age 4 yrs and up.
Artist Mary Scott and Jackie Matthews will take you on a creative journey using clay, felt (sheep wool) and materialws from the natural environment, culminating in an Exhibition of Art With Nature. Cost of workshop is only €10

2. Philip Quinn on Stonemad, Holycross will run an introductory stone carving workshop. This is your chance to leave your mark (under expert guidance) on a large block that we hope will become the base of a permanent statue for the Wetland Centre. Places will be limited to about 6 and it will not be suitable for younger children. The cost of this workshop is also only €10

In addition to the workshops here will be an Open Afternoon, with guided walks of the education centre, bird hides and wetlands which will be suitable for all ages. The bird hide has a lift to reach it for those who are unable to use the stairs. Tea and light refreshments will be provided allowing a fun day for those of all age groups. Admission to all events apart from the workshops is free.
For further details Call 0504- 43879 ( mornings) Mobile 087-7962177 for more details or email info@cabraghwetlands.ie.

Open Day Thank You!

Last week was a very busy time at Cabragh Wetlands. Many hours of intensive preparation by a very dedicated team of volunteers lay behind the Open Day, which we think has boosted our coffers by something in the region of €5000. That will make a great difference to our annual finances, and will help us maintain the many habitats and biodiversity of this exceptional site.

It is not possible to thank everyone who helped, but it was a revelation to see how many family, friends and neighbours rallied round to ensure the success of the day. It showed that there is a real depth of community spirit alive and flourishing in the Thurles area, and reminds us of what can be achieved if we all give a few hours a year to worthy local causes. With judging approaching for our Pride of Place nomination, there was a reminder of the potential strength and achievement that is possible if groups and individuals cooperate and work together. Wouldn’t the world be a healthier place if we focused more on mutual aid rather than rivalry and competition?

The day was a reminder too of the creative talent in our midst – stone and wood carvers, artists, photographers, basket weaver, painters, gardeners, cooks and bakers all displayed their talents to good effect and contributed to the buzzing atmosphere. It was instructive to be able to see and hear about developments in greener energy and house-building, and to find out about the educational work of the Wetlands Centre and the courses at the Tipperary Institute. There were animals to see, and a chance to walk with Eanna Ni Lamhna, who offered great insights into the plants, birds and insects of the wetlands. And we must not forget our noble auctioneer, who defied the rain and some customer resistance to persuade us to open our wallets and bid for a good bargain. Thanks too to the many who donated raffle prizes, auction items and bric-a-brac; without your generosity the day would not have gone so well.

Wild at the Wetlands 2008

This is a preliminary notice of a day of events at Cabragh Wetlands to celebrate Heritage Week 2008. It will take place on Saturday 30^th August from 1-5pm.

There will be two workshops sponsored by an Arts Grant from North Tipperary County Council.

1. The Studio, Holycross will facilitate an Art and Craft workshop for 20 children age 4 yrs and up.

Artist Mary Scott and Jackie Matthews will take you on a creative journey using clay, felt (sheep wool) and materialws from the natural environment, culminating in an Exhibition of Art With Nature.

2. Philip Quinn on Stonemad, Holycross will run an introductory stone carving workshop. This is your chance to leave your mark (under expert guidance) on a large block that we hope will become the base of a permanent statue for the Wetland Centre. Places will be limited to about 6 and it will not be suitable for younger children.

A small charge will be made for these courses- details later. In addition there will be an Open Afternoon, with guided walks, tea and light refreshments and admission to this is free.

For further details Call 0504- 43879 ( mornings) Mobile 087-7962177 for more details or email info@cabraghwetlands.ie. Further details will appear soon!

Cabragh Wetlands Summer Camp

When a school trip comes to Cabragh Wetlands, we ask the children: "Are we nature too?" They pause and reflect, but eventually agree that we too are part of nature. That question and response have implications.

We exist in a communion with a wider web of life, inter-connected and inter-dependent, just like every other species. Of course we have our distinctive features, not least that we can reflect on and delight in this wonderful world, but other species have their own unique gifts as well. The fish can live underwater; the owl can hear the heartbeat of the mouse thirty feet away, and swoop and catch it with extraordinary precision. This world of ours works because everything is in balance and inter-connected, is a communion of subjects.

Yet in the past one hundred years we have seen our species grow from one billion to almost seven billion, with almost every other species in decline and too many already gone into premature extinction. We have been happy to see ourselves as the crown of creation, but are perhaps slowly coming to see that we are as vulnerable and inter-dependent as every other species. The Burmese cyclone and Chinese earthquake remind us of our frailty before the forces of the natural world.

When we place a seed in the ground it grows because the micro-organisms in the soil create the conditions for the plant to grow and produce food for us. If those micro-organisms were not there to do their bit, we would have no food to eat. Soil purity is crucial for our survival. Did you know that there is more life below the surface of the earth than on it? Think about that the next time you are tempted to pour chemicals onto the earth or dump potentially toxic material onto a land fill site or discard plastic bags and sheeting which suffocate, rot and destroy the life in the ground beneath.

How do we address such challenges? Central to any corrective action must be to plant the seed of awareness in our children and communities. If you want your child to experience the joy of discovering and understanding nature, why not enrol him/her in the Detective in the Wild Summer Camp at Cabragh Wetlands from July 7th-11th 2008. Ring Seamus on 0504-23831 for further details. Last year one satisfied dad commented: “The children learnt about things that really matter.”