HOW & WHERE WE WORK
Habitat Restoration and Rehabilitation
With less than 2% of our native woodland remaining and more and more of Courtown's public outdoor space lost to concrete, private landowners and unsustainable development, we're working with community partners to secure the permanent protection and restoration our natural treasures deserve.
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We all understand habitat degradation and destruction can happen quickly. This has devastating consequences for the well-being of our community as well as our native tree species, plants, birds, animals, insects and marine life.
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We also know restoration and regeneration takes time. That's why we're putting our energy into practical projects that go beyond the short-term.
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"GREENPRINT" FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL COURTOWN
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Guided by sound ecological and biodiversity principles, we're focused on the SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT initiatives which will improve the land and make Courtown's natural beauty something we can all be proud of again. Control of invasive species, establishing a native species nursery and a programme to replant native trees, plants and groundcover are key CWA goals for 2022-2025.
The Clean-Up Squad
When Playing Dirty Is Fun
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Armed with work gloves, rubbish bags, litter pickers, rakes, and shovels, our merry band of local volunteers, young and old, take on green space cleaning sprees.
We're not afraid to round-up rubbish and wrestle weeds to keep Courtown's wild places junk and rubbish-free.
Public spaces are part of what makes a community feel like home. For our volunteers coming together to care for Courtown's outdoor space is part of what makes this place feel like a real community.
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Defend Our Wild Places
Safeguarding Nature And Outdoor Space For People.
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Many people in North Wexford feel that local government decision-making has often not had the community's priorities at its centre. Since the sale of Courtown Woods in 2021, there is growing awareness that the community must pro-actively scrutinise local funding and development initiatives to ensure that any development happens for local people and not to them.
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As part of our advocacy work, CWA is committed to stopping "business as usual". We will strive to ensure that the impact of new development or building works on protected sites and Courtown's natural amenities is properly assessed, in line with National/EU Habitat and Wildlife directives.
Like our beautiful Robin friend, we'll ruffle feathers when required in defence of our wild public spaces but we'd much rather have an impact by creating a landscape not of scrutiny, but of better communication and co-operation between the Council and the community.
Unlock More Green Space
Vibrant green space is crucial to a healthy community and a thriving North Wexford economy.
The health of Courtown's landscape is inextricably linked to the health and the welfare of the people. For that reason, CWA is committed to exploring ways of unlocking more green space for active and passive recreation.
But it's not just people who need thriving green space.
A rich bio-diverse landscape is also inextricably linked to the health and survival of our native trees, flora, fauna, birds and wildlife, many of which are now sadly endangered. That's why beyond our accredited trails and parks, it's also important to safeguard Courtown's remaining pockets of green space, regardless of size or accessibility.
Wildness need not just be at scale -it can be found in the smallest sign of nature.
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Each green space identified, preserved and (where appropriate) sensitively opened up to the community represents a mosaic of opportunity for the thriving of all life here. Every depleted landscape transformed preserves our precious natural resources for the benefit of all.
Connect The Community To Nature
Effective stewardship includes creating more opportunites for everyone in Courtown to experience Nature - every child, family, dog walker, angler, runner, kayaker, holiday-maker, riverside rambler and seaside stroller.
Prosperity means more than food to eat and a roof over our heads. It means flourishing health. It means strong social relationships and a stronger, more connected community. In this era of increasing social isolation, connection to shared outdoor space can help re-weave our frayed social fabric.
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We breathe in fresh air.
We say "Hello"s.
We make friends.
We get our heads cleared.
We stretch our legs.
Great outdoor experiences for everyone - no matter where you live or how much money you have - are critical. CWA helps the community to appreciate and connect to Courtown’s beautiful wild places through education and fun community events.
Partnership. Progress. Real Prosperity.
Land for People. Land for Nature.
We hear a lot of troubling talk of land versus people - places under threat from humans. And while many of those threats are critical, conservation doesn't need to frame human beings as the enemy.
Proper progress requires successful land-for-people-and-nature solutions which demonstrate a triple bottom line to:
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PRESERVE: Our Outdoor Space & Natural Amenities
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PROTECT: Biodiversity & Wildlife Habitats
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PROMOTE: The Future Prosperity Of The Courtown Community
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CWA is committed to promoting the social and economic benefits of strategic conservation guided by locals' priorities.
We see collaboration as essential to help us protect our remaining natural heritage, undo the damage of the past and create a healthy future for Courtown. So we work with member groups, business, land-owners, local government and other voluntary agencies to pinpoint the greatest opportunities to preserve and expand our outdoor space where it's needed most.
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Where practical, we assist landowners and other stakeholders in practical conservation and regeneration tasks (trail maintenance, mapping the location of rare species, clean-ups, restorative planting etc) to ensure that all conservation and regeneration work is planned, and executed in line with best practice.
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We can also assist local landowners in identifying funds which can support their conservation activities.
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Upcoming Events
Saturday 23 April 2022 @ 10AMCourtown Walking TrailsSaturday 23 April 2022 @ 10AMCourtown Walking Trails, Car Park, CourtownSaturday 23 April 2022 @ 10AMCourtown Walking Trails, Car Park, CourtownWe're banding together to tackle litter on Courtown's woodland walking trails, as part of National Spring Clean 2022. Pitch in to keep our beautiful trails pristine - it's a great way to exercise, get fresh air and connect with nature and people.