PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
17th May 2018
Jewels of the boglands pageant during Biodiversity Week 2018
Leading peatland conservation group to run a series of public entertainment events focusing on the elaborate and colourful nature of Ireland’s bogs.
The line-up will include the top 10 most loved butterflies in Ireland, three wonderful waders and the curious insect-eating sundew plants.
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) will host events at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Co. Kildare and Girley Bog in Co. Meath during Biodiversity Week.
Building the public’s awareness of the importance of Ireland’s bogs is essential to the conservation of these rare habitats. Biodiversity Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the jewels of the boglands.
Thanks to support from the Irish Environmental Network, the ‘Jewels of the Boglands’ pageant will kick off at 12pm this Sunday the 20th of May with ‘The Wonder of Waders’ at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.
The ‘Wonder of Waders’ event will highlight the plight of some of Ireland’s breeding waders including Curlew, Lapwing and Snipe, all of which have seen a decline in recent decades. These birds are breeding on the Bog of Allen and this event will discuss conservation efforts on Lodge Bog and surrounding areas.
The second event – ‘The Bogtastic Biodiversity of Girley Bog’ will take on Wednesday 23rd of May and will celebrate the biodiversity of bogs and showcase some of their fascinating flora including the insect-eating Sundew and peat-forming Sphagnum mosses. This guided walk onto the bog will start from Causey Farm at 3.30pm.
IPCC will highlight the importance of designated sites such as Girley Bog for the conservation of rare habitats and wildlife.
On Sunday the 27th of May IPCC will celebrate the true beauties of the bog. “The Butterflies of Lullymore West’ event will meet at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre at 12pm where IPCC will deliver a presentation on the butterflies of the bog. The presentation will be followed by a guided walk to the bog to experience a diversity of elaborate and colourful butterflies first hand.
IPCC invite the local community and wider public to come along and voice their opinion about the vision and actions of the new Lullymore West Bog Conservation Management Plan 2018-2025 being developed in 2018.
If you would like to voice your opinion about the Lullymore West Bog Conservation Management Plan 2018-2025 online please visit www.ipcc.ie and follow the link the online survey.
For information about IPCC’s other Biodiversity Week events including a guided walk along the Grand Canal at Allenwood and the ‘Bog Tales’ public information evening about Girley Bog please visit www.ipcc.ie/events.
‘Ireland’s bogs are important refuges for many rare and endangered species. It is important to celebrate these beautiful habitats and the rare jewels that can be found living in them’ says Katie Geraghty, IPCC’s Conservation Officer.
‘The best of Ireland’s biodiversity is accessible for all to enjoy in our bogs and IPCC will help unlock its secrets for children and families at these events’ says Catherine O’Connell, IPCC’s Chief Executive Officer.
For further information please contact Katie at bogs@ipcc.ie