Inishowen Rivers Trust By Dr. Trish Murphy A presentation for The Rivers Trust’s Spring Conference, Dublin 21 March 2018
About the IRT • Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal • Journey began in October 2013 • Established first board in Oct 2015 • Established as a CLG in August 2016 • Nine directors on board
2013 / 2014
Oct 2015
Riverfly Monitoring Riverfly Monitoring
Invasive Species Invasive Species
River Clean Ups Agricultural Shows, Tree Planting
Meeting Others River walkovers Meeting others
Who’s Who event 2017
Slow the Flow event 2018
Opportunities - Education • Increasing skills through training opportunities • Raising awareness through community networking • Acting as a source of information and advice • Schools programme to reach younger generation
Opportunities – Making Connections • Community groups & individuals • Landowners, recreation users, wildlife watchers, anglers etc • Landscape managers – farmers, foresters • Agencies – collaborations, partnerships • Bursary scheme for local rivers
Opportunities – Project Work • Healthy Rivers – monitoring using techniques such as riverfly sampling • Invasive Species – mapping and monitoring, advice on control • Natural Flood Management – schemes to slow the flow
Challenges – Governance • Navigating regulatory guidelines • Skills deficit Actions • Time consuming • Delays holding back progress Expert advice Support of key organisations Employ staff
Challenges – Funding • Need for Multi-annual funding • Insurance, office overheads Actions • Funding for Staff costs • Funding for ‘non-eligible’ costs The Wheel Corporate Sponsorship
Challenges – Project Delivery • Maintaining momentum • Time consuming Actions • Lack of staff & training • Establishing strong partnerships Upskilling • Building Trust More volunteers Community Employment Schemes
Our Vision for the Future (10 years) • Staff & Premises • 2-3 members of staff • Communication • Projects Co-ordinator • Catalogue of promotional and • Administrator training videos • Marketing • Develop website into a portal for • IT, Mapping & DB Management advice and information • Regular River Clinics with visiting expert advisors
Our Vision for the Future • Data Collection & Methodologies • Development of data collection protocols • Use of and development of apps • Commissioning surveys • Online mapping portal • Membership • Widespread across Inishowen • Consistent core volunteer work
Our Vision for the Future • Education • Schools Liaison Programme (secondary level) in collaboration with agencies • Placement students • Farming Community • Established bonds • Partners in agriculture & forestry
Our Vision for the Future • Collaboration • Build strong partnerships with agencies • Academic links • With other trusts • Sharing of knowledge & skills • Shared online portal of information • Practical events
Thank You | Go raibh maith agaibh
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