International Bog Day 2019: Peatlands Ireland’s Climate Change Heros

Press ReleaseInternational Bog Day 2019

14th July 2019

On Sunday the 28th July join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre between 1-5pm and celebrate Irish peatlands for their unique biodiversity and as one of Ireland’s climate change heros. As trees grow, through a process of photosynthesis, it is well known how they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  This natural process is appreciated and valued by citizens as a means of minimising atmospheric carbon and in turn helping to reduce the rate of climate change.  It is not as well known that peatlands are also one of Ireland’s climate change heros.  Nuala Madigan, Environmental Education Officer with IPCC explains ‘The International Union for the Conservation of Nature reports that currently peatlands cover 3% of the global land surface and at the same time store more carbon than all other vegetation types in the world combined. The IPCC have campaigned for over 35 years for the conservation of a representative sample of Irish peatlands for people today and in the future.  Today we know so much more about the ecosystem services that peatlands provide than ever before and with climate change not only a concern in Ireland but worldwide this day is all about celebrating and raising the profile of how valuable peatlands are as a carbon store’. 

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council have organised an afternoon filled with learning, fun and action to celebrate International Bog Day 2019.  At 1pm enjoy a guided tour of the peatland exhibition and wildlife gardens and younger visitors can get involved with some fun nature activities including pond dipping.  At 2pm IPCC will host an information talk on the variety of ecosystem services of Irish peatlands including as a habitat supporting unique biodiversity such as insect eating sundews and peat forming Sphagnum mosses.  Also discover how Irish peatlands are not only climate change heros but also support in water filtration and water regulation.  There is no doubt that Irish peatlands are one of Ireland’s last wildernesses and on this day of peatland celebration you are also invited to join IPCC at  2.30pm on a bog walk to Lodge Bog South.  IPCC will introduce you to the restoration measures undertaken on this site and explain how these are supporting Lodge Bog South reach its potential as a terrestrial carbon store.  For visitors who would like to make a contribution towards reducing their carbon footprint IPCC will also offer time to help in the restoration efforts of this site. 

This free event is one of many events hosted by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council as part of Féile an Dúlra, IPCC’s annual Festival of Nature supported by Kildare County Council.  Come join staff and volunteers from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on Sunday 28th July relax and enjoy an afternoon celebration of the wet and wild peatlands of Ireland.  Further information can be found at www.ipcc.ie.  

Editors Notes

Screen Shot 2019-07-11 at 16.15.51The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) aim to conserve a representative portion of Irish peatlands for people today and in the future.  Based at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Co. Kildare it is a centre being developed into a centre of excellence in peatland education, conservation and research.  

UnknownFéile an Dúlra is IPCC’s annual Festival of Nature, a series of free public open days, workshops and citizen science initiatives that is supported by Kildare County Council through their Festival Grant Scheme 2019.   

Screen Shot 2019-07-11 at 16.13.19International Bog Day is celebrated around the world on the fourth Sunday of July – this falls on 28th July in 2019. This annual event has been designed to celebrate the beauty of bogs and to help make people more aware of peatlands, the services they provide for free, and the threats they face.

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