Guided Nature Walk & Talk

Please signup and pay at reception before 2 pm Thursday!

Join us on a guided nature walk and talk along the Cork City Otter Trail. A guide from the Cork Nature Network will guide us along the River Lee and talk to us about the local native wildlife that we live alongside here in Cork City. It promises to be an insightful, enriching, and fascinating afternoon. Come along and be ready to learn!

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has been in decline across Europe since the 1960s. However, Ireland is unique in that our otter population has remained relatively stable. This makes Ireland a crucial stronghold for the Eurasian otter. Despite this, our otters still face many threats and require protection to maintain their population. These threats include habitat loss and pollution. Otters rely on good quality water and healthy riparian habitats for food and shelter. Otters are a keystone species and play a vital role in the ecosystem and it is crucial that they are protected.

The aim of Cork Nature Network is “To benefit the community of Ireland by promoting and encouraging, the conservation of wildlife and habitats by educating, and increasing the awareness of the need for conservation in Ireland.” Their aim is to help restore a healthy, functioning ecosystem for both wildlife and human populations in Ireland. Increasing awareness surrounding conservation is central to achieving such a goal. It is through education and participation, that we can enhance our communities.