Life in the river morning for Scoil Bhríde pupils

It was a morning by the river for two classes from Scoil Bhride today when they explored the life in the Liffey locally with the help of Kilcullen resident, ecologist Jan Baars, writes Brian Byrne.

In a reprise of the recent Biodiversity Week presentation by Dr Baars, it was literally a hands-on experience for the youngsters who got up close to crayfish, trout, and invertebrates from the river, including microscopic ones. All had been temporarily taken from their normal habitat by the scientist, with the help of his son Robert who is a pupil himself at the school.

When the event started off with questions, there was already a surprising level of knowledge about river life among the young people, reflecting the encouragement of curiosity that's a key part of life in today's primary schools.

Dr Baars was also able to discuss his work in the UCD Invasive Ecology Lab at the School of Biology & Environmental Science, where he is researching the distribution, impacts, and management of invasive species in and along Irish rivers. Asian clam, New Zealand land hopper, and American skunk cabbage are just a few of many such which pose a threat to the life in our rivers, including the Liffey.

It is entirely possible, perhaps even probable, that one or more Scoil Bhride pupils who went along this morning will be enthused to follow in an ecology-related career.

(Another example of how far apart are the experiences for today's young school-goers compared to when this writer was in his early education ... it's just wonderful to see.)

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