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A Peat-full Future for the Bogs

For Release 23rd December 2005

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council would like to thank all their
volunteers, supporters and sponsors who helped to make 2004 such a
successful and memorable year. It was a very eventful year, which included
many changes for the organisation. Dr. Catherine O'Connell replaced Dr.
Peter Foss as the Chief Executive of IPCC in February and she then
co-ordinated the move of the headquarters of the IPCC from Capel Street in
Dublin City to the heart of the Bog of Allen in Lullymore, Co. Kildare. The
IPCC has worked hard throughout the year to create new exhibitions and
garden displays at their new premises, the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

One of the first big projects to be completed was the Carnivorous Plant
Display, which is located in the greenhouses in the grounds of the Nature
Centre. This display has proved popular with both children and adults and
guided tours were in great demand at the recent Christmas Fair at the
centre. New exhibitions were also launched at the centre including a Peat
Free Gardening Exhibition, Wildlife Garden Exhibition and Frog Exhibition.
In the gardens of the Nature Centre composting and wormery demonstration
areas have been set up and have been used by IPCC when giving Composting
Workshops.

The IPCC initiated a survey of the Bog of Allen in 2004 and this will be
completed in the coming year. The results of the survey will highlight any
remaining remnants of intact peatland within the Bog of Allen and will be
published in a report. They will also feature in a permanent exhibition at
the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

2005 looks set to be another exciting year for IPCC, with plenty of work to
be completed at their new premises. The recent installment of an Eco-Tank
has allowed the landscaping of the grounds to begin. Next year will see the
development of peatland habitats including fen and bog and open water lake
habitats. Due to the success of the Open Day and the Composting and Wildlife
Gardening Workshops at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in 2004, the IPCC will be continuing these events in 2005. The development of the Nature Centre will also continue and the IPCC expect to open their Peatland Research Library at the centre next year.

The IPCC will kickstart the year with a Volunteer Day on Friday 7th January. This will be a Greenfingers Day and volunteers are needed to help with the maintenance of the carnivorous plant display in the greenhouse and other general gardening duties. IPCC will be delighted to welcome both old and new volunteers.

IPCC would like to take this opportunity to wish all their supporters,
volunteers and sponsors a very merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

ENDS