OVERWHELMING COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN SLIGO TO ESTABLISH A LOCAL RIVERS TRUST TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT LOCAL WATERWAYS
Following a hugely successful public meeting on September 20 in the Sligo Park Hotel, local community members overwhelmingly voted to pursue the establishment of a Sligo Rivers Trust to protect the natural watercourses of County Sligo.
Rivers Trusts are community initiatives started by local people to care for their local rivers. They have environmental charitable objectives to deliver river improvements on a catchment management scale for the public benefit and concentrate on delivering practical improvements for their rivers.
Rivers Trusts are also concerned with education programs, flora, fauna, fisheries, biodiversity, habitat, access, pollution and other issues that impact their river catchments, such as climate change, litter and underlying social problems leading to environmental decline.
The recent Sligo Rivers Trust event was collaboratively organised by the Rivers Trust (All-Ireland), Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and Sligo Public Participation Network (PPN). The aim was to introduce the concept of a Rivers Trust, how to establish one and what a difference this kind of network can make in protecting local water quality.
One of the event organisers is Pat Benson, who is part of the Sligo PPN Secretariat and a member of the Carraroe and District Regenerations Association. He has been the driving force behind the idea to bring this movement to Sligo and he was further encouraged by the turnout and level of enthusiasm at the recent public meeting.
Pat, who also acted as host at the event and shared his vision for the new Sligo Rivers Trust, said: “We were delighted to see representatives from all over Sligo, including Ballymote, Easkey, Strandhill Drumcliffe and Dromhair attending. Despite their busy schedules, we also welcomed Cllr Michael Clarke, Chairperson Sligo Council, Cllr Rosaleen O’ Grady and Cllr Thomas Walsh. Their support of the initiative is recognised and most appreciated.
“Sligo is famed for its beautiful bay and surrounding rivers. Much of our local tourist and leisure economy depends on water quality; perhaps, more importantly, it is the source of our drinking water. So, everyone has a stake in protecting our water and it is inspiring so many people have come to show they care and want to get involved in protecting our natural resources,” he said.
Those attending the public meeting were given the opportunity to talk to the many groups who are passionate about water in Sligo, including Sligo Tidy Towns, Sligo Anglers Association, Dromahair Tidy Towns, Dromahair Anglers, Carraroe & District Regeneration Association, Cartron Biodiversity Group and Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP).
At the public meeting, the audience first heard from Catchment Scientist with the Local Authorities Water Program (LAWPRO) Aisling Reilly. She gave an overview of the current water quality of Lough Gill, identifying to the surprise of many that the current water quality is classified at moderate ecological status (under the EU Water Framework Directive), despite the lake being the primary drinking water source for many people in Sligo and Leitrim.
The next speaker was Dr Constanze O’Toole, Ireland Development Manager for the Rivers Trust, who introduced the Rivers Trust movement in Ireland, how it evolved and its impressive growth over recent years. Dr O’Toole was also very pleased with the turnout and praised the local Sligo community for their interest and support.
“I want to thank everyone who came along and participated in the event and I welcome the high level of engagement and interest from the people of Sligo. It is a pleasure to welcome the newly established Sligo Rivers Trust to the wider Rivers Trust movement, and we look forward to supporting and working with them to achieve their objectives,” she said.
Dr Trish Murphy, Project Officer, Inishowen Rivers Trust, then presented on the success of the Inishowen Rivers Trust in Co. Donegal. Before the halfway break, a small quiz took place, testing participants’ knowledge of what they had heard so far and what they had learnt from talking to interest groups around the room. There were some great water-themed prizes on offer, including vouchers for Sligo SUP, Sligo Kayak Tours, Sligo Surf Experience, Waterglades Garden Centre, Rose Isle of Innisfree tour, Sligo Tours and Adventure Gently.
The meeting reconvened with All Ireland Director of the Rivers Trust Mark Horton talking people through the steps of forming a rivers trust.
Mark said: “The Rivers Trust is enjoying phenomenal growth in Ireland – both North and South. With the establishment of this new group in Sligo, we now have 21 Rivers Trust across the island working together to empower communities and improve and protect and restore local waterways.
“We are really pleased to welcome Sligo to our expanding network of active and concerned citizens who care about the local environment and recognise the importance of rivers as the foundation for human health and as key sites for biodiversity. We look forward to working with the local community to achieve good ecological status in Sligo waters and across the rest of Ireland.”
Then there was the opportunity for questions from the floor and the meeting concluded with a show of hands supporting the progression of establishing a Rivers Trust for the Sligo Bay area. Those attending completed a questionnaire indicating their willingness to get involved in developing Sligo River Trust by volunteering for projects, being a Trustee/Board Member or providing specific skills. This data is currently being analysed and the steering group will arrange to meet all who have volunteered over the next two weeks.
To View Presentations from the evening;
Anyone who could not attend the recent public meeting but is interested in being involved in the new Sligo Rivers Trust can email sligoriverstrust@gmail.com for further information
