On Water Heritage Day, Wicklow Uplands Council (wicklowuplands.ie) in collaboration with LAWPRO (lawpro.ie) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service at Knocksink Nature Reserve will welcome Professor Wim Meijer from University College Dublin. Prof. Meijer will deliver a thought-provoking talk at our “Waggy Tails – Dirty Trails” event.

Drawing from his research at UCD, Professor Meijer will highlight how something as ordinary as dog poo can become a serious environmental problem when left behind in nature. While many people assume it’s harmless or that it will naturally break down, the reality is quite different — especially when it comes to water quality.

The talk will look at a variety of water pollutants and human health issues which can be attributed to uncollected dog faeces which often get washed into nearby streams and rivers via rainfall and stormwater runoff.

Once in our waterways, dog waste introduces harmful bacteria and parasites such as E. coli, giardia, and campylobacter, along with excess nutrients that can lead to algal blooms and oxygen depletion. These impacts not only threaten aquatic life and biodiversity but also pose direct risks to human health — especially for children and swimmers.

The session will conclude with a short Q&A and an invitation for families to explore hands-on activities — including viewing poo under the microscope and a fun modelling clay station for kids to make their own (non-smelly!) animal droppings. This talk promises to be an engaging and accessible way to highlight a surprising yet crucial link between everyday behaviour and the health of our environment.

Beyond pollution, the presence of dog mess in public spaces affects how we enjoy nature and erodes the shared experience of our parks and trails. Justin Ivory from LAWPRO will guide us on a short walk where we will casually address the importance of responsible dog ownership in protecting our water heritage. Key actions like keeping dogs on leads in natural areas, consistently picking up waste, and avoiding letting dogs swim in sensitive waterbodies can make a significant difference.