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SQUELSH ACROSS THE BOG IN THE WELLIES

For release 16 January 2002

What makes bogs squelshy is the amount of water stored in the mossy plants
that cover their surface. A bog moss plant can hold up to 20 times its own
weight in water but it cannot support the weight of a human being at all.
And if that's not scary enough, there's more solids in a pint of milk than
in a pint of bog, so the wellies are needed. A special encounter is planned
for members of the public attending the wet, wild and wonderful bogs and
fens course on offer at UCD from the 12th February 2002.

An active learning agenda is promised by the Irish Peatland Conservation
Council, the course organisers, to include slide shows, hands-on practicals,
demonstrations and a field trip.

A special feature of the course will be the day-long excursion to the Bog of
Allen in Co. Kildare to study the different stages in the making of a bog.
Visits to the canal feed near Naas, Pollardstown Fen and Mouds Bog in Co.
Kildare are included on the itinerary. Participants will see the natural
power of plants to fill a lake in to become a bog.

Participants will learn with the experts about the flora and fauna,
habitats, archaeology and conservation of Ireland's raised and blanket bogs
and fens. The presentations will include slide shows with natural sounds and
bird song.

Practical workshops will help participants learn how Sphagnum moss builds a
bog, how to identify typical bog plants and the different types of turf and
wood found in bogs. Another practical workshop will involve learning how to
make crosses from rushes - a tradition handed down by St Bridget. Also
included in the line up is a demonstration of how to set up a composting
worm bin in the garden, to help cut out the use of moss peat in the garden
which comes directly from our raised bogs. The full course programme is on
view at www.ipcc.ie

Today 82% of the 1.3 million hectares of peatland that formerly existed in
Ireland has been altered and lost to development. The Irish Peatland
Conservation Council invites members of the public to take a journey with
them down the old bog road to learn about bogs and fens and to understand
why we must take action to ensure that they are safeguarded for the benefit
of future generations.

For further information and bookings contact the IPCC at telephone
01-8722397 or email bogs@ipcc.ie
____________________________________
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
119 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel & Fax +353-1-8722397
Tel +353-1-8722384
e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web: www.ipcc.ie

Action for Bogs & Wildlife

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