ACR+ explores water governance practices with REGENERA

ACR+ travelled to Ireland’s west coast for the third REGENERA steering committee meeting and a visit to the final pilot site at Lake Keel. Hosted by Leave No Trace, the team stayed in Westport and explored Achill Island. Project partners visited the Achill Outdoor Education & Training Centre, and introduced to the centre’s nature-based education programs. The meeting focused on reviewing project progress and planning upcoming activities. Participants discussed recent deliverables, including vulnerability assessments, the Regenera Environmental Educational Program (REEP), and social media outreach. With the project entering its final year, preparations are underway for the concluding conference and a web documentary showcasing project outcomes. 
 
This study visit and understanding the reality around the pilot case, as well as the project in general, allows ACR+ to test and reinforce various approaches to good governance around water bodies, revolving around cross-sectoral cooperation, local committees, and collaboration with local authorities. Not to forget to mention a strong emphasis on behaviour assessment and understanding habits of the various users of the water bodies, belonging to the local community and beyond, including farmers, business owners, residents, as well as tourists and visitors who frequent such places for leisure or professional reasons. Such input and observation will allow ACR+ and other partners to develop capacity building activities targeting those various target groups for being able to put up with the threats and challenges for good governance.