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PRESS RELEASE 13th July 2007

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council's Marsh Fritillary Butterfly Conservation Project at Lullymore Bog in Co. Kildare has been awarded just over Euro 20,000 by a European network of businesses involved in the outdoor industry.

Dr Catherine O'Connell, the project leader has been invited by the European Outdoor Group Association for Conservation to present the results of the project to date at the summer trade fair show - "OutDoor" in Friedrichshafen, Gemany on 20th July.

"A company called Cascade Designs based in Cork nominated the IPCC and its work as a potential for funding. We were then approached last October by the EOG Association for Conservation to present a project for funding consideration and we were successful" says Dr Catherine O'Connell. "We decided to present the butterfly conservation project we had planned to do at Lullymore West Bog and were fortunate to win this award which has given the project a huge boost", she added.

The Marsh Fritillary is a European butterfly that is very much in decline. It is protected in many countries and given protected status under the European Habitats Directive. In Leinster, Lullymore West Bog is a stronghold for this species. The award winning project of the IPCC aims to protect, enhance and conserve the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly on Lullymore West Bog, Co. Kildare. Our work programme this year involves three strands of activity: research, community education and protection.

Progress on the project so far has been wonderful.
o The site has been fenced
o an educational sign has been erected
o a map of the different habitats on the bog is complete
o butterflies are being recorded on the site each month with nineteen different species seen since March
o a clean up removed two huge skips full of rubbish from the site
o 24 nests of the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly were recorded this spring
o a stile allows visitor access 24-7
o 30 volunteers from Kildare and its environs are participating in the project following training by the IPCC

"The project will continue until October of this year and there will be plenty of opportunities for volunteering particularly in late August during Heritage Week" said Dr Catherine O'Connell.

The IPCC wish to thank the EOG Association for Conservation and the other groups and individuals who have helped with this project as follows: Friends of the Bog, The Open Field, the Biodiversity Fund of the Heritage Council, Volunteering Ireland (VOLT), "Notice Nature", KELT and the LEADER Plus programme which is funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

ENDS

Further Information
Founded in 2006, the EOG Association for Conservation is an initiative from the European outdoor industry. The Association aims to fund projects that protect threatened wild areas for their habitat and recreational values. Headquartered in Switzerland, the Association is managed by a Board of Directors drawn from outdoor industry brands. The outdoor industry recognises that preserving and protecting the natural environment is a core necessity and raises funds from within the industry to support direct projects. www.eogconservation.org

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a non-governmental organisation that was formed in 1982 to ensure the conservation of a representative sample of Irish bogs. Our activities include education and publicity, promoting environmental awareness, provision of information and encouraging the protection and conservation of our national heritage for the common good. We own and manage a number of peatlands for conservation and we run the Bog of Allen Nature Centre which is open to visitors and school groups. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status. www.ipcc.ie

Photographs of Lullymore West Bog are available from IPCC, tel 045-860133 and ask for Sarah Malone, IPCC, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. KIldare

For further information please contact:
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Bog of Allen Nature Centre
Lullymore
Rathangan
Co. Kildare
Ireland
Tel 045-860133
Fax: 045-860481

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