Please note that this event has been rescheduled from Tuesday, 27th January, due to the significant impacts of Storm Chandra on the Aughrim community. We sincerely thank the community for their resilience and continued partnership.

In this regard you are warmly invited to the launch of the SpongeWorks Project in Aughrim —☕ Coffee, cake and chat provided — come along for an informal, friendly evening of learning and conversation.

An evening of information, exploring how working with nature (Nature-based Solutions, NBS) can help us manage water, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience in our local landscapes.

The EU Horizon project ‘SpongeWorks’ focuses on helping landscapes act more like a sponge — slowing, storing and filtering water naturally through soils, wetlands, woodlands and river systems.

This nature-based approach can reduce flooding, improve water quality, support wildlife and create healthier, more resilient catchments for communities, farming and nature alike.

The evening will explain what the SpongeWorks Project is and why it matters, and why Wicklow County Council, East Wicklow Rivers Trust, Wicklow Uplands Council and LAWPRO all got involved.

We will hear from Dr Mary Bourke a lecturer in Geography at Trinity College Dublin, an engaging expert on Earth (and Planetary) Geomorphology with expertise in extreme environments including flooding.

An important part of the evening will be shared insights, and to discuss how our Aughrim Catchment Community can be involved.

This is a relaxed and accessible event open to everyone — landowners, farmers, anglers, community members, engineers, environmental enthusiasts, anyone curious about how nature-based solutions can support both people and place.