Invasive plant species in east Clare are to be tackled under a new partnership agreement between Clare Local Development Company and Waters of LIFE. The partnership is aimed at improving biodiversity and water quality in the county over the next three years.

Waters of LIFE are active in East Clare as an EU-funded programme to protect and restore water quality. Their Graney demonstration sub-catchment includes the Graney, Dromindoora, Corra and Bleach rivers as well as Lough Graney and Lough Atorick.

 “We’re delighted to be partnering with Clare Local Development Company,” says Waters of LIFE Project Manager Anne Goggin. “We believe it can have a real long-term benefit to the catchment for water quality and biodiversity.”

“Local knowledge is vital for tackling invasive species. CLDC have the expertise and the resources to tap into that and we’re developing a plan together so that we can focus our attention where it’s most needed.”

 

An information evening will be held in Lough Graney Community Centre, Flagmount on Wednesday August 20^th at 7:30pm to discuss invasive plant species in Clare. Locals will be asked to share their knowledge of where invasive species are present in the catchment.

The National Invasive Species Database has records of Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendron in the Graney sub-catchment. Waters of LIFE’s partnership with CLDC will also look to identify areas of self-sown conifer trees. 53% of the area is forested and the EPA have identified forestry as local pressure on water quality.

“We want to find out the extent of the invasive species and tackle them as much as we can,” says Anne Goggin. “The awareness evening will kick start our surveying activities and it’s important to have the local community involved from the start.”

Dóirín Graham is CEO of Clare Local Development Company. CLDC have a long history of funding and supporting community-led environmental programmes.

“This partnership is a great opportunity,” says Dóirín, “and really the best way to approach this kind of issue. You have the science and local people and relationships coming together. The landowners are the real agents of change, but they need the knowledge and the support.”

“It’s all coming together for something that is hugely important for us and for County Clare. We’re ambitious about it. Everybody wants change that they can see and we’re taking a very practical approach. There’s a lot that can be achieved over the next three years.”

Waters of LIFE have also recruited over 25% of eligible east Clare farmers into their agri-environmental programme pilot. The programme rewards farmers for the nature value of their land funds actions to improve the health of rivers and streams. Entry into year two of the programme is currently open at www.watersolife.ie/eoi. The deadline for expression of interest is August 31^st 2025.