Look the otter way
Grand Parade just got a little more colourful.
A sculpture of an otter made from natural materials features in an installation on the MTU’s Gallery.
It is part of a project by students of Creativity and Change called ‘Conscious Lee’ which encourages people to value and protect rivers.
The project, which also has resources for children and a podcast, uses the River Lee to explore city rivers as natural spaces which bring multiple benefits to communities. It informs people about habitat loss and climate change and suggests actions we can all take to help water wildlife and protect rivers as natural amenities for future generations. The project also highlights our connection to rivers as blue spaces that are not only good for biodiversity and combating climate change, but are beneficial for physical and mental health.
Ann Lambe, one of the project team members, said: “Otters have a large role in our project as they have become an unofficial flagship species for wildlife in the River Lee. Cork Nature Network has recently set up an otter walking trail and released a short film. Also the campaign Save Our Bride Otters is highlighting their presence in Blackpool. People are thrilled to catch a glimpse of otters in the river, they are very playful and cute creatures. Our project helps raise awareness about the actions people can take to help protect otters and other wildlife.”
Ann’s illustrated poem ‘An Otter’s life on the River Lee’ can be found in the gallery window and on the project webpage creativityandchange.ie/conscious-lee.
Trish Roberston, who painted the detailed backdrops in the installation, said: “Over the past year, people have really come to value rivers in new ways. It is a wonderful nature space that helps improve our physical and mental health. Connection with nature is so important and we have this rich amenity running through the city. Just look at the Lee Fields or the Marina any day to show how much people value being by the river.”
See more on the ConsciousLeeCork Instagram account.