Free training on how to tackle invasive species

Interested in knowing more about the invasive species affecting County Cavan and how you can help to prevent, manage and eradicate them in your community?

Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to native biodiversity and cost the EU €10 billion to manage annually. In Ireland alone the figure runs into hundreds of millions of euro per year. Invasives pose a huge challenge – but we can all do our bit to prevent and manage their spread.

Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) - with support from Cavan County Council, Breffni Integrated CLG, The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), the EU and EAFRD - has teamed up with Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants to run a five-week free course on the prevention and management of invasive species.

“Invasive species are a huge threat to our native plants and wildlife - we witness their damage nearly every day in our work,” said ecologist Jennifer McAree. “But it’s not just down to the government to solve this issue - we must all help to stop their spread through becoming informed, practising biosecurity and making more informed choices for our gardens and public spaces.”

It will involve week night sessions to learn key skills and knowledge, as well as hands-on Saturday ‘meitheals’ where you can learn how to effectively remove problematic invasive plants. The course will end with a fun, informative day trip to an exemplar site.

Participants will learn about invasive species; how to identify, record and map them; how to create and implement a Community Biosecurity Policy; and how to manage and/or eradicate key invasive species.

The course will be held across County Cavan from May to June 2026 (exact dates TBC). Locations and venues will be chosen depending on level of interest.

Sign up using the QR Code in the advert on page 5 of this week's print edition of the Celt by Friday, April 24. For more information, visit ccld.ie or contact jennifer@flynnfurney.com