Water Heritage Day was marked in Kilteevan on August 23rd with the launch of a new leaflet and a citizen science event focused on local rivers and streams.
Cllr Domnick Connolly, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, launched the leaflet, Protect our Local Rivers and Streams, which was produced by Kilteevan Tidy Towns with support from the River Basin Management Service Small Grants and Events Scheme.
Cllr Connolly said the leaflet highlighted the importance of riparian zones — the margins along rivers and streams which help protect waterways and provide habitat for wildlife.
He also welcomed the inclusion of local memories connected with the Cloneigh River, saying they helped people reconnect with nature and with their local area.
A citizen science event was also held, with Community Water Officer Janet Laffey providing information on the Citizen Science Stream Index programme.
Participants then took part in a practical workshop at the local slipway, where they learned how to monitor the health and quality of local watercourses. A number of aquatic invertebrates were identified and recorded during the session.
Eileen Fahey, Chairperson of Kilteevan Tidy Towns, thanked Janet Laffey and previous Community Water Officers for their support, and said this type of training helped build local knowledge and capacity.
Kilteevan Tidy Towns also thanked those who contributed memories, photographs and design work to the leaflet.
