'Waggy Tails - Dirty Trails - - How Dogs Impact Our Waters'

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 host Professor Wim Meijer from University College Dublin for “Waggy Tails – Dirty Trails.”

Drawing on his UCD research, Professor Meijer will reveal how something as ordinary as dog poo can become a serious environmental problem when left behind in nature. While often assumed harmless, uncollected dog waste can wash into streams and rivers via rainfall and stormwater runoff, introducing harmful bacteria and parasites such as E. coli, giardia and campylobacter. Excess nutrients from the waste can also trigger algal blooms and oxygen depletion, threatening aquatic life and biodiversity while posing health risks to people, especially children and swimmers.

The event will also explore how dog fouling affects public enjoyment of nature and diminishes shared outdoor spaces. Following the talk, Justin Ivory from LAWPRO will lead a short guided walk, highlighting how responsible dog ownership — keeping dogs on leads, picking up waste, and avoiding sensitive waterbodies — helps protect our water heritage.

Families can enjoy interactive activities, including viewing poo under the microscope and creating model droppings from clay. This engaging and accessible event connects everyday actions to the health of our rivers, wildlife, and communities.