Freshwater Detective course will benefit young students

AN ENVIRONMENTAL training course held for students in Clondalkin and Lucan schools was delivered by renowned biologist and author Professor Ken Whelan.

The ‘Freshwater Detective’ course was held on Friday, May 6, on the River Camac in Clondalkin, and was sponsored by Friends of the Camac and supported by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).

Eleven young people, mainly transition year students, participated from Moyle Park College, Clondalkin, King’s Hospital School, Palmerstown, and Kishoge Community College, Lucan.

As well as classwork, the group participated in fieldwork which involved water sampling, and recording the macroinvertebrate life in the river.

Prof Ken Whelan with Friends of the Camac Group, students and teacher Niamh Foran

Studying the minute creatures in the aquatic environment gives a window onto the quality of the water and the health of the river.

Friends of the Camac said that they were delighted to pioneer this training with young people and hope to encourage the young environmentalists and citizen scientists of the future.