To mark World Wetland Day on Tuesday 2nd February, Dawn Meats and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) announced the start of a study on the health and progress of the integrated constructed wetland at its Carroll’s Cross facility in Co. Waterford.

Four students from WIT will carry out this assessment in the coming months, and the results will be available in the autumn.

World Wetland Day aims to highlight the importance of wetlands, and the role they play in providing natural sponges against flooding, hosting a huge variety of life, and storing carbon dioxide to regulate climate change.

3 years ago Dawn Meats installed a 7 acre integrated wetland and Eco-park at the facility. This not only reduced carbon emissions by avoiding the need to mechanically treat wastewater but provided an opportunity to enhance biodiversity at the site. Dawn and WIT carried out an initial survey of the wetland in March 2014 and they are now commencing a study to assess how the health of the eco-system has progressed over the last two years.

Tony Woodcock from WIT commented: “It is great for our students to have the opportunity to work with Dawn Meats on a live project. At WIT we have a particular interest in bio-diversity and will continue to follow progress on this site.”

Richard Clinton Group Commercial Director from Dawn Meats added: “We are delighted to once again be working with WIT. Dawn Meats is committed to working together with the local community in supporting the environment and this cooperation continues to grow in effectiveness and importance.”