Big Beach Biodiversity Survey

The Clean Coasts programme is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce. Clean Coasts works with communities to help protect and care for Ireland's waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life. The Clean Coasts Programme is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Failte Ireland.For more information visithttp://www.cleancoasts.org/

Clean Coasts

Grattan Beach

Clean Coast Observer

Would you like to learn more about the marine environment while also contributing to scientific studies that aim to improve and protect our environment? If so, you’ve found your new calling as a ‘Citizen Scientist'.

Clean Coasts Observers is teaming up with Galway Atlantaquaria to bring the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Explore Your Shore! project to Grattan Beach. This workshop will empower volunteers to become citizen scientists and encourage local marine guardianship.The workshop will take place on Grattan Beach, Galway, on the 9th August at 10 amLocation: <a href="https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2FQLDRihvaHkwjLE8XA&data=05%7C02%7Clcostello%40eeu.antaisce.org%7Cdd53968d80bc4932d4e808ddb7cc336d%7C9b3403b7a34f4d1fbb4111c343a1fcc7%7C0%7C0%7C638868809864362764%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uo8L9sguuqYqCiwn8OKFnCJ7wEsdV%2BZ2W%2FeKuPzg00c%3D&reserved=0" title="https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2FQLDRihvaHkwjLE8XA&data=05%7C02%7Clcostello%40eeu.antaisce.org%7Cdd53968d80bc4932d4e808ddb7cc336d%7C9b3403b7a34f4d1fbb4111c343a1fcc7%7C0%7C0%7C638868809864362764%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uo8L9sguuqYqCiwn8OKFnCJ7wEsdV%2BZ2W%2FeKuPzg00c%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://maps.app.goo.gl/QLDRihvaHkwjLE8XA</a> 53.262996, -9.065163Join us on Grattan Beach and get hands-on with your local marine and coastal environment through:<ul><li>Explore Your Shore! Bivalve Survey</li></ul><ul><li>Grattan Beach Sand Fencing Project</li></ul><ul><li>Rockpool Experience</li></ul><ul><li>Seagrass Spotter</li></ul>Want to join the Clean Coasts Observer Network?To become an official Clean Coasts Observer and receive a citizen science starter pack, workshop participants must:<ol><li>Sign up to become a <a href="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/#register-for-the-course" title="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/#register-for-the-course" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Clean Coasts Observer</a></li><li>Complete the <a href="https://learn.biodiversityireland.ie/courses/marinebiodiversity" title="https://learn.biodiversityireland.ie/courses/marinebiodiversity" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Marine Biodiversity Citizen Science Open Course</a></li><li>Attend at least one <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/clean-coasts-8520359924#collections" title="https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/clean-coasts-8520359924#collections">Clean Coasts Observers &amp; Explore Your Shore! In-person workshop event</a></li></ol>Recording our marine biodiversity is as vital as recording terrestrial plants and animals. Our coastal species are indicators of the health of our seas, and, unfortunately, due to a lack of baseline data, we struggle to realise the extent of biodiversity loss in our marine ecosystems.During the workshop and through the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s online learning, volunteers can develop their intertidal identification skills, positively contribute to Ireland’s national marine baseline data, and become local ecological guardians.What you will need on the day:<ul><li>Waterproof gear</li></ul><ul><li>Warm layers</li></ul><ul><li>Wellies</li></ul><ul><li>Sunscreen</li></ul><ul><li>Water and snacks</li></ul><ul><li>Any medications you may need</li></ul><ul><li>Hand sanitizer</li></ul>About:<a href="https://nationalaquarium.ie/" title="https://nationalaquarium.ie/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Galway Atlantaquaria,</a> Ireland’s largest native species aquarium, is located in Salthill overlooking Galway Bay along the Wild Atlantic Way. We are caretakers of hundreds of native animals from our rivers, lakes, canals and oceans. Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland, seeks to present a comprehensive view of the world of water, through clear and interesting displays, informed, helpful staff and exciting live presentations.National Biodiversity Data Centre’s <a href="https://exploreyourshore.ie/" title="https://exploreyourshore.ie/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Explore Your Shore!</a> Is a citizen science initiative, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. It aims to explore intertidal species as bio-indicators of climate change and water quality, highlight these issues to the public, and generate baseline data on intertidal species in Ireland.The <a href="https://cleancoasts.org/" title="https://cleancoasts.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Clean Coasts</a> programme works with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life. To highlight the importance of citizen science, the <a href="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/" title="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Clean Coasts Observer</a> initiative in 2021. The initiative aims to inform volunteers on ecological topics and give them the skills to become citizen scientists. The initiative features Clean Coasts citizen science reporting on marine litter surveys, and promotes national studies in areas like biodiversity, climate, geology, and pollution monitoring.Links:Clean Coasts Observer Registration - <a href="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/#register-for-the-course" title="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/#register-for-the-course" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/#register-for-the-course</a>National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Marine Biodiversity Citizen Science Open Course - <a href="https://learn.biodiversityireland.ie/courses/marinebiodiversity" title="https://learn.biodiversityireland.ie/courses/marinebiodiversity" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.biodiversityireland.ie/courses/marinebiodiversity</a>Galway Atlantaquaria - <a href="https://nationalaquarium.ie/" title="https://nationalaquarium.ie/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://nationalaquarium.ie/</a>Explore Your Shore! - <a href="https://exploreyourshore.ie/" title="https://exploreyourshore.ie/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://exploreyourshore.ie/</a>Clean Coasts - <a href="https://cleancoasts.org/" title="https://cleancoasts.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://cleancoasts.org/</a>Clean Coasts Observers - <a href="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/" title="https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://cleancoasts.org/clean-coasts-observer/</a>