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Irish Bog Expert Visits Peatlands of
Tierra del Fuego

For Release 29 Nov 2005

An international field symposium and meeting of peatland conservationists
and scientists is taking place in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina from 21st
November to 5th December 2005. A Director from the Irish Peatland
Conservation Council - Mr Patrick Crushell is attending the meeting
to help advise on how best to set up a programme for the conservation of
peatlands in this region.

Ireland has a wealth of experience in running peatland conservation
campaigns. We are protecting an impressive 20% of the original peatland
area in the country. Dealing with issues such as overgrazing, peat cutting,
drainage and visitor access are just some of the areas Mr Crushell will be
advising on as he attends this meeting.

The trip, organised by the International Mire Conservation Group will
include a 10 day tour to see some of the most spectacular of Tierra del
Fuego's peatlands.

The trip will be followed by a meeting at which Mr Crushell will present a
paper on the conservation of peatlands in Ireland and on the research work
he is undertaking at University College Cork on Ireland's most important
peatland - Clara Bog, Co. Offaly.

Mr Crushell's attendance at the field symposium is being sponsored by
Offaly County Council, University College Cork and the Irish Peatland
Conservation Council.

A lecture and slide show will be presented by Patrick Crushell on the
peatlands of Tierra del Fuego at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on
International Bog Day 30th july 2006.

It was in Tierra del Fuego, that the bog moss Sphagnum magellanicum was
first discovered. Scientists named the species magellanicum after the
Straits of Magellum. This moss also occurs in Ireland and is a wonderful
wine red colour. It forms flat quaking lawns on Irish bogs.

Enquiries to IPCC, tel 045-860133

ENDS