Network

Join The Network

Is your organisation interested in joining the Beaches and Dunes Network?

Click HERE for the Network Members Application Form, fill it out, and email it to: [email protected]

Network

The Beaches and Dunes Network is established to:

  1. Build awareness of dune work and initiatives nationally.
  2. Facilitate networking between all stakeholders, especially across the local, regional and national levels.
  3. Influence and develop a co-ordinated approach towards the sustainable management of beaches and dunes.

(“Sustainable” means that social, economic and environmental factors are all considered in decision-making).

The Network emerged from:

  1. The 2024 Pobal funded, Beaches and Dunes Climate Adaptation Project, designed to build the capacity of local communities to utilise sand dunes as a nature-based solution to climate change. The partners were Leave No Trace Ireland, Atlantic Seaboard North Climate Action Regional Office (ASBN CARO), Department of Geography, the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, in association with Accelerating Change Together (ACT) and Clean Coasts.
  2. The national Protect Our Dunes Campaign which began in 2021 and has built strong stakeholder involvement led by ASBN CARO, with connections to the Machaire Beo / LIFE on Machair EU funded project.

Members

Membership is open to any group/organisation/unit that supports the primary aims of the Network: to facilitate networking between all sand dune stakeholders; to work for healthy sand dunes, “They protect us! so let’s protect them!”

Current Network Members:

Committee

The Network Administrative Working Group is tasked with the above aims in addition to building awareness through this website, the annual national dune campaign and the annual dune Gathering. Terms of Reference available on request.

Current Administrative Working Group Members:

  • Leave No Trace Ireland
  • ASBN CARO
  • University of Galway

Tramore Eco Group

Tramore Eco Group is a voluntary organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural environment of Tramore, Co. Waterford. They tackle erosion caused by footfall and climate change through community-led marram grass planting workshops and awareness events highlighting the unique biodiversity of this Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

With Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) funding, and support from Waterford City and County Council and NPWS, Tramore Eco Group hosted a chestnut fencing workshop with the Maharees Association, installed educational signage, and began placing 1km of fencing to stabilise blow-out zones.

Waterford City & County Council

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