Students of Tullamore were treated to an engaging feast of local biodiversity and nature as part of a Tullamore Tidy Towns initiative to increase awareness of the aquatic life of the Tullamore River and Wetlands habitat.

The Tullamore River and Wetland Awareness event involved over 150 students from Scoil Bhríde National School and Transition Year students at Tullamore College.

Students were given a short presentation followed by a walk and talk, by Ross Macklin and Derek Bora of Triturus Environmental. Pointing out key aspects of the local aquatic environment, Ross and Derek conducted kick samples in the Tullamore River at Lloyd Town Park and reviewed specimens with students on the river bank.

The event was spearheaded by Tullamore Tidy Towns and supported by River Basin Management (Formerly LAWPRO), Offaly County Council (Biodiversity Office / Climate Action Office) and Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group.

Scoil Bhríde teachers arranged a River and Wetland Colouring Competition, with teacher Séan McCann presenting prizes along with the Offaly Otter from the Climate Action office of the County Council and chair of Tullamore Tidy Towns, Shane Murray.

One of the leading aquatic ecologists in the country, Ross Macklin met with over 30 Transition Year students at Tullamore College in the afternoon and following a short talk on the importance of water to our communities, conducted another river kick sample at Riverside. A group from Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group also met with Tidy Towns at the library and DNA water sample was taken from the river for analysis.

Tullamore Tidy Towns aims to continue to shine a spotlight on the living river that flows through the centre of Tullamore and the wetland that has been nurtured over the last decade into an important oasis for biodiversity and wildlife. Tidy Towns are delighted to bring together the various stakeholders for this awareness event and look forward to identifying further projects which will support the ongoing improvement of the River and Wetland area.
Tidy Towns looks forward to developing closer links with all local Green Schools, teachers and students especially in the areas of biodiversity and sustainability.

Many thanks to Ross Macklin and Derek Bora, Triturus Environmental Ltd, all the teachers and management at Scoil Bhríde especially Séan McCann, the 'Offaly Otter', Climate Action Office, Sinead McEvoy, David Rafter of River Basin Management, Ian Feighery, Transition Year Teacher and Edward McEvoy Principal of Tullamore College, Shane Murray, Chair Tullamore Municipal District - Offaly County Council and Chair of Tullamore Tidy Towns, Anne Slevin and Loughnan Hooper, Tullamore Tidy Towns. Thanks also to Tidy Towns key supporter, Nigel Reams of Lumcloon Energy.

Check out Tullamore Tidy Towns events in October - https://www.tullamoretidytowns.ie and on social media.