Volunteers Requested To Cut Back Invasive Shrubs At Brittas Bay.

Sea Buckthorn, an invasive shrub, is established at Brittas Bay and other coastal areas in Wicklow.

Wicklow County Council is inviting volunteers to participate in the next ‘Behind the Beach’ event which takes place at Brittas Bay South Beach, on Saturday, 11th February, from 10 am to 1 pm.

The focus of this hands-on volunteer work event will be on cutting back the young growth of Sea Buckthorn to control its spread into the dune system. Sea Buckthorn, an invasive shrub, is established at Brittas Bay and other coastal areas along the East Coast.

The plant has a de-stabilising effect on dunes, restricting the spread of native vegetation, and making the dunes less resilient to the  damaging effects of climate change such increased storms and sea inundations.

The volunteer work will involve the use of loppers to cut back vegetation and move it nearby for collection. Onsite co-ordination will be provided by ALC Nature and all equipment needed will be provided for registered attendees.  Participants are recommended to wear old work clothes and sturdy footwear.

Anyone interested in participating should send an email to wicklowheritage@wicklowcoco.ie in order to register.

Co-ordinated by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council, the ‘Behind the Beach’ programme is an ongoing initiative to increase awareness of the ecology of this Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and promote opportunities for citizen science engagement.  

The public events programme is part of a wider programme of conservation measures including ecological monitoring and conservation grazing co-funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government and Wicklow County Council through the National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund.