CLDC Launches Free Citizen Science Biodiversity Webinar Series for Jan–Feb 2026

The Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is rolling out the next phase of its free Citizen Science Land and Water Biodiversity Training series, supported by the EU’s LEADER 2023–2027 rural development fund.

Discover Clare’s hidden biodiversity and become a citizen scientist with CLDC’s free online webinars (Jan-Feb 2026). You’ll learn to identify invasive species, native habitats, and water ecosystems—gaining practical skills to record data, protect your local environment, and contribute to nature-based solutions that influence real policy changes for County Clare. No experience needed—perfect for community members, farmers, and nature lovers.

Following a successful run of in-person and online workshops in 2025, CLDC is offering four free online webinars in January and February 2026. These sessions will introduce participants to Clare’s varied habitats and species – from native plants and animals to the invasive species that threaten them – while building practical skills in citizen science and data recording.

The webinar series are an ideal preparation for in-person site visits that will be rolled out later in the year. You can book online here

As the year draws to a close, what better way to spend a few dark evenings than to sign up to one (or all) of our four free Citizen Science ‘Water and Land’ Webinars…grab a cuppa and join a growing community of people who care deeply for nature” –

Deirdre Morrissey, LEADER Development Officer at Clare local development Company.

CLDC emphasises that citizen science “is defined as the collecting, observing and analysis of data about the natural world” which “can also inspire us to think about future nature-based solutions”. All training is delivered by partner Nature Network Ireland on CLDC’s behalf, and data collected will be uploaded to the National Biodiversity Data Centre to support conservation efforts.

Winter 2026 Webinar Schedule

The free online workshops will run Wednesday evenings, 7–9pm GMT. Each webinar is open to everyone – community groups, farmers, local professionals and nature lovers alike – with no prior experience required. The four sessions are:

• Jan 21, 2026 – “Invasive Species”: Exploration and identification of invasive plants and animals threatening Clare’s ecosystems.
• Jan 28, 2026 – “Irish Habitats”: An in-depth look at the diverse terrestrial habitats that support Ireland’s unique wildlife.
• Feb 11, 2026 – “Irish Water and Habitats”: Focus on the habitats of our lakes, rivers and wetlands, and the life they sustain.
• Feb 18, 2026 – “Native and Invasive Species”: Comparing native biodiversity with invasive species to learn identification and recording skills.

These sessions are part of CLDC’s ongoing Citizen Science Training series for 2025–2026. The programme’s core goals are to “increase community awareness and understanding of water and land biodiversity”, to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to actively engage in citizen science projects, “foster a sense of stewardship” for local ecosystems, and to encourage sharing biodiversity data to aid conservation.

Building on Past Success and Community Effort

CLDC’s biodiversity trainings draw on over a decade of work with local communities and experts in County Clare. In 2025 the series included hands-on field days at Lough Grainey (Flagmount), the Falls River in Ennistymon, and Ballyallia Lake in Ennis, followed by online workshops.

These practical sessions helped participants “learn about citizen science and how to record species” in real habitats. CLDC reports that “the ‘in the field’ sessions were followed by online webinars to help embed and integrate the knowledge gained in the practical sessions”. With Nature Network Ireland leading the training, participants benefit from expert guidance by ecologists and botanists in every event.

The 2026 webinar series is explicitly community-driven and inclusive. The offerings are “open to anyone with an interest in protecting the unique biodiversity of Co. Clare” – from tidy-town volunteers and youth groups to farmers and environmental professionals. CLDC aims for the training to empower local communities: helping everyone “read the landscape like never before” and feel responsible for their patch of nature. The EU-funded nature of the project also means it is relevant to biodiversity and rural development networks across Ireland and the EU.

Importantly, the webinars are only the start of the 2026 series. In spring and summer CLDC plans more in-person workshops and field outings when weather permits.

By joining one of these free workshops, participants can deepen their knowledge and play a part in shared environmental stewardship. Even volunteer observations can “add to the growing body of information we have about our precious habitats and species” – an investment in Clare’s biodiversity for years to come.

Learn more and sign up: Visit CLDC’s website or book online here. Join us in 2026 to explore Clare’s natural heritage and help protect it for future generations.