Press Release
A Call to Action this International Bog Day
Friday 17th July 2020
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council, a charity working towards the conservation of a representative portion of Irish peatlands for people to enjoy today and in the future, are looking for YOUR HELP on International Bog Day. International Bog Day is a worldwide celebration held annually on the last Sunday of July and this year it falls on 26th July. The day aims to raise awareness of the many services the wet and wild peatland habitats of Ireland offer our communities including water regulation, biodiversity, amenity and carbon storage. Usually the Irish Peatland Conservation Council would be hosting peatland community walks and talks and opening the doors of the Bog of Allen Nature Centre for members of the public to visit at their leisure however with the Covid-19 restrictions on movement over the past few months this year the charity is offering an alternative way to celebrate peatlands and that is by asking you to ‘roll up your sleeves’ and help with the management of scrub on Lullymore West Bog.
Lullymore West Bog is recognised nationally as a butterfly haven with 22 of the Irish butterfly species recorded on the site including the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly. Nuala Madigan, Education Officer with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council explains ‘the wet grassland habitat is ideal for butterflies as it provides both shade and sun exposure while supporting a wide variety of native wildflowers. Usually at this stage of the year the Irish Peatland Conservation Council would have hosted a number of volunteer days to reduce the encroaching scrub on the site but 2020 has turned out to be a different type of year. On returning to the reserve after Covid-19 restrictions had been eased it was evident that the reduced management on the site over the Spring and early Summer months has led to an increase in scrub encroachment. The saying goes ‘many hands make light work’ and with this in mind we are asking people to celebrate peatlands this year by taking action.’
The outdoor setting for the management of encroaching scrub on Lullymore West Bog will allow for social distancing with ease while at the same time have a positive impact for the reserve and its wildlife. To ensure the safety of all volunteers the Irish Peatland Conservation Council are limiting numbers, they are asking all those members of the public who would like to get involved between 1-4pm on Sunday 26th July to get in touch by e-mailing the Irish Peatland Conservation Council at bogs@ipcc.ie or calling the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133.
Make a difference this International Bog Day and help enhance the habitat of Lullymore West Bog for the diversity of butterflies that call this site their home.
Image: Expedia Team Volunteer Day 2019, Lullymore West Bog, Co. Kildare © N. Madigan
