Friends of Knocksink Walk Agus Talk

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atest press release from Friends Of Knocksink, issued on Wednesday, September 20th 2023…

Colin Stafford Johnson will lead a biodiversity walk and talk in the extraordinary Knocksink Woods on Sunday 1st October to support a campaign to save Knocksink Woods.

Colin is is an Irish wildlife cameraman, filmmaker and television presenter, best known for his work on a variety of BBC nature documentaries.

Knocksink Woods is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with petrifying springs containing tufa formation and alluvial forests, as well as its protected pristine Salmonid Glencullen River. Located in the beautiful village of Enniskerry, it has been given priority status under the EU Habitats directive and is also a designated Natura 2000 EU Special Area of Conservation and Nature Reserve.

It hosts numerous fragile habitats with high biodiversity value and is considered a potential ancient woodland. The Glencullen River that flows through it is one of the few pristine rivers left in Ireland. And right now, our unique Knocksink Wood Nature Reserve is under threat!

Permission for a large scale development in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, near this delicate biodiversity hotspot has been granted, and there is concern by environmental experts and local residents that irreparable damage will be caused. We are Friends of Knocksink who are fighting to protect this Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

In October, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) approved a SHD for a further 219 residential units (135 houses and 84 apartments). One of the biggest threats to Knocksink Woods will come from the polluted or contaminated water that will flow from the development site into the woods, as the site is located directly above it. Any change to the hydrology on the site can materially damage or cause loss to the fragile biodiversity that has afforded Knocksink Woods Nature Reserve its Special Area of Conservation status.

Save Enniskerry and Protect Knocksink are a group of concerned residents who have come together to raise €50,000 for legal fees to lodge a judicial review to protect this Special Area of Conservation.

Knocksink Woods Nature Reserve is unique to Wicklow, and we are all custodians of this ecological jewel. It is vital for all of us to ensure that it is protected – not only for its unique flora and fauna, but also for future generations. In this time of bio-diversity crisis, we cannot allow harm to Knocksink Woods Nature Reserve.

Taking place on Sunday, October 1st at 11.30am, the walk is limited to 15 people. To experience what makes Knocksink Woods Nature Reserve so special, you can secure your €50 ticket for the walk by here.

You can find out more about Friends Of Knocksink on Facebook here.