{"id":333,"date":"2022-02-22T17:29:47","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T16:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/louth.waters-project.com\/?page_id=333"},"modified":"2022-03-04T11:31:49","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T10:31:49","slug":"would-you-like-to-become-a-saltwater-detective","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/louth.waters-project.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Would you like to become a Saltwater Detective?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you like to become a Saltwater Detective?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

APPRECIATION OF OUR ESTUARIES & SEASHORE TRAINING COURSE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

with Ken Whelan, Padraic Creedon & Friends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COUNTY LOUTH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louth Leader Partnership, Ken Whelan, Padraic Creedon – Leave No Trace-Ireland, Cushla Dromgool-Regan \u2013 Camden Education Trust, and friends are delighted to be running the APPRECIATION OF OUR ESTUARIES & SEASHORE TRAINING COURSE in April 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an introductory course for adults, volunteers and community groups that wish to become a SALTWATER DETECTIVE<\/strong> and learn about the amazing range of marine animals, plants, seaweeds and birdlife found at our local estuaries and seashores in County Louth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two separate courses are provided, one in Carlingford and the other in Clogherhead, County Louth.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Louth \u2013 Carlingford  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classroom: Sun 3rd<\/sup> April 9.30am \u2013 3.30pm (Blackrock Community Centre,  Dundalk)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seashore fieldtrip: Sat 9th<\/sup> April 10am \u2013 2pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estuary fieldtrip: Sun 10th<\/sup> April 11am \u2013 3pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Louth \u2013 Clogherhead    <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classroom: Sat 2nd<\/sup> April 9.30am \u2013 3.30pm (Drumshallon Forge Heritage Centre, Drogheda<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seashore fieldtrip: Sat 23rd<\/sup> April 10.30am \u2013 2.30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estuary fieldtrip: Sun 24th<\/sup> April 12pm \u2013 4pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download your BOOKING FORM<\/strong> below and return to saltwaterdetective@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Places are limited and your booking must be confirmed prior to the course start date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bookings close: 30th<\/sup> March<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The North and South Louth courses are delivered in three parts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1<\/strong>. An introductory class held in a local centre, which will include exciting presentations, discussions and tasks, where participants will learn how to identify animals and plants that live within the estuaries and on a typical rocky seashore.  The content will also include developing the participants understanding of the tides, types of seashores, how a seashore is divided (zonation), safety & conservation, as well as useful equipment for the fieldtrips.  The facilitators will provide practical tips identifying animal species, seaweeds and plants found in key locations the upper, lower and middle seashore as well as on the estuary.   Invited guests will also provide visual and practical presentations of other wildlife including birdlife and marine biodiversity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to learning about our the incredible saltwater biodiversity, the course will offer participants an opportunity to develop ideas to share and engage with their community about  understanding and caring for their local saltwater environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2<\/strong>. The seashore fieldtrip will  involve a hands-on approach where participants will learn how to find animals in a rocky shore environment.  They will also get to examine and learn to identify seaweeds, animals in rockpools, as well as evidence of other species on the seashore.  A three-minute beach clean will also be conducted, where the team and participants will discuss concepts for environmental care and community projects.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3<\/strong>.  The estuary exploration will include an examination of a local estuary where connections will be made from the inland environment and sources of freshwater  to the shore –  examining estuary landscape, birdlife, resident animals and animals transitioning through the fresh \/ saltwater interface . Aspects of environmental conservation and protection will be discussed throughout the hands on practical learning experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will you need to be a Saltwater Detective?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fieldwork content will include practical exploration building the participants sense of confidence and  excitement in discovering animals, plants and seaweeds.  Each participant will be encouraged to explore and find key animals, seaweeds and plants, creating a stronger appreciation of their local environment, biodiversity, heritage and their connections with estuaries and the seashore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants will be provided with the Saltwater Detective tools to conduct their investigations.  It is recommended that you bring with you a  mobile phone (camera) to photograph animal species throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested items you might bring with you<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n