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The Lough Hyne Research Team within the School of Biological,
Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork,
has been involved in two major community education events
within the last two weeks, aimed at helping young and not
so young to appreciate the marine environment.
On August 10th last, the Research Team hosted a group of
12 young people from the Mercy Home for Underprivileged Teenagers
in Chicago in conjunction with Baltimore Diving and the Skibbereen
Heritage Centre. The Mercy Home caters for teenagers from
some of the poorest areas in Chicago and the group was on
a 10-day trip to Southwest Ireland.
The group first took part in a touch tank event, where members
of the Research Team showed some of the different animals
found within the Lough Hyne Marine Reserve, before getting
into wetsuits for some swimming and snorkelling around the
Lough with instructors from the Baltimore Diving Centre.
For many of the visiting teenagers, it was their first encounter
with 'the Ocean' - as they called it - and it will
be something many will never forget!
On August 21st, the Research Team was again on site at Lough
Hyne, to kick off Heritage Week events in West Cork with another
touch tank event. This is the fifth consecutive year the team
has hosted this popular event on the North Shore at Lough
Hyne.
The estimated 150-200 adults and children were thoroughly
appreciative of the opportunity to learn about some of the
common marine animals usually hidden out of sight to most
people - and, more importantly, to interact with some of these
animals.
Dr Rob McAllen, the UCC Lough Hyne Reserve Research Coodinator
said - “Our public awareness and community events are very important
in making the local community and visitors aware of the importance
of Ireland’s sole Marine Nature Reserve - while, at the same
time, highlighting UCC’s research in this area.” |
