US students study unique habits at Mayo's Lough Carra

LOUGH Carra Catchment Association has welcomed back students from Texas State University to study the unique habitats of Lough Carra. This is the second year that students from Texas State University have come to Lough Carra.

Joanne McGovern, education and awareness officer with the Lough Carra Catchment Association, said: “We were thrilled to host another study visit from Texas State University. Our partnership with Texas State continues to grow, as we exchange knowledge and introduce the beautiful environment of Lough Carra to another group of students.”

Texas State University was introduced to the Lough Carra Catchment Association by Sara Stanton, CEO of Cara Group Travel. Although based in Boston, Sara grew up in the environs of Lough Carra and named her company after the lake.

As part of a four-week programme arranged by Cara Group Travel, Texas State has now committed to partnering with Lough Carra Catchment Association every year.

The students had a packed itinerary for their visit, taking part in an immersive day-long ‘Bio-Blitz’ event, recording and identifying the unique flora found in Lough Carra’s orchid-rich semi-natural grasslands. They had the opportunity to participate in a series of expertly guided habitat walks around the fragile ecosystems of Clogher Bog and the woodlands of Moore Hall.

Finally, Kieran Flynn of the Lough Carra LIFE Project hosted a lively morning of discussions and talks detailing just some of the exciting and innovative conservation work happening in the catchment.

Joanne said: “Lough Carra is a precious jewel, highly valued by the local community.

“Since 2018, the Lough Carra Catchment Association which is supported by Mayo County Council, has sought to improve the lake’s water quality, restore the marl lake habitat and raise the conservation status of species within the lake catchment area. We are working closely with local farmers, landowners and community groups to preserve this vital ‘community well’, which provides drinking water for more than 1,000 households.

“We were delighted to showcase our work and our ambitions to the students from Texas State University and look forward to continuing this important collaboration. It is just part of our wider educational outreach programme which will involve working with schools across Mayo to highlight the importance of saving this unique lake.”