Show Your Support for Peatland and get Involved for International Bog Day !
13th of July 2016
Bogs are one of the most ancient habitats in Ireland and are home to birds, frogs and countless insects and small creatures. They are also home to many rare plants. Covering 1,200,000 hectares (1/6th) of the island, Ireland contains more bog, relatively speaking, than any country in Europe except Finland. Across Europe, as well as in Ireland, bogs have been exploited in recent centuries as a source of fuel. Considering that many of the bogs in the rest of Europe already gone, Ireland’s now have an increased importance to the scientific community, as well as the tourist industry.
Féile an Dúlra the Irish Peatland Conservation Council’s (IPCC) festival for nature supported by Kildare County Council continues at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in July with International Bog Day on Sunday 24th. The centre is open to the public from 2pm to 5pm where you can learn about the link between Dutch and Irish bogs and the amazing butterflies of Lullymore West Nature reserve.
This free event will include a presentation about the IPCC’s trip to the Bargerveen Nature Reserve in the Netherlands supported by the Dutch Foundation for the Conservation of Irish Bogs, activities for children and a guided walk to Lullymore West Bog, the IPCC’s Nature Reserve which is responsible for the conservation of a variety of amazing butterfly species that can be found there. Members of the European Butterfly Monitoring Schemes have been invited by the IPCC to discuss their experience with butterflies.
IPCC staff Katie Geraghty and Nuala Madigan recently visited the Bargerveen Nature Reserve, part of the International Naturpark Bourtanger Moor-Bargerveen. They were given a guided tour of the reserve where they observed some of the amazing wildlife there including a diverse range of butterflies; a survey on the reserve determined that there is a population of over 50, 000. The girls were also brought to the industrial peatlands on the German side of the International Naturpark and visited a German Moormuseum and the Veenpark peat museum which is the biggest open-air museum in the Netherlands.
Everyone is welcome to attend International Bog Day on Sunday 24th July for a fun family day out. Strong footwear and outdoor clothing are recommended for the guided butterfly walk. Refreshments will be provided.
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