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Bogs and Fens of Ireland Conservation Plan 2005 Launched

For release 15 October 2001

Bogs and fens are an extensive natural resource in Ireland. They originally
covered 1.35 million hectares of the country. The destruction of Ireland's
peatlands by afforestation, turf cutting, industrial peat extraction and
reclamation has resulted in an 82% loss of these valuable wetlands.

Despite the small size of the country, Ireland possesses 51% of the raised
bogs and 50% of the blanket bogs of conservation importance remaining in
Europe. Therefore we have a special international obligation to protect
these peatlands.

In the Bogs & Fens of Ireland Conservation Plan 2005 the Irish Peatland
Conservation Council, a non governmental organisation, is presenting a
blueprint for the development of a national strategy for the protection of a
representative sample of bogs and fens in Ireland.

The IPCC's strategy outlines actions to ensure that all bogs and fens of
nature conservation importance are protected; that planning permission is
prevented for activities that threaten to damage conservation sites; that
Government fund better management and rehabilitation of peatland Natural
Heritage Areas and that an outreach education programme focusing on the
value of peatlands to all sectors in society if developed.

As Dr Peter Foss, Chairman of IPCC states "We have a responsibility to
conserve and protect peatland resources in Ireland for the social, economic
and environmental benefit of all. It's vital that we grasp the opportunity
that exists here - where peatlands are still so abundant - to protect these
last wilderness areas".

IPCC is calling on three Government departments, in particular the
Department of the Environment, Public Enterprise and Arts, Heritage
Gaeltacht and the Islands to take a more proactive role towards the
protection of bogs in Ireland and give a firm undertaking that they will
play their part in protecting bogs here.

So if you are involved in peatland conservation or utilisation, then this
conservation plan is an essential reading and reference source for you. It
includes:

Detailed information on 914 bogs and fens of conservation importance in
the Republic and Northern Ireland

Location maps of Irish peatland habitats and threatened species

Actions required to tackle 23 issues affecting the future of Ireland's
peatland heritage

Three chapters explaining the characteristics, conservation and extent
of fens, raised bogs and blanket bogs in Ireland

as well as a Glossary of 90 technical terms and bibliography of peatland
publications

You can order your copy of the plan for Euro 25 plus P&P
(see below for postage amount due)
from the IPCC, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare

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Bogs & Fens of Ireland Conservation Plan 2005

ORDER FORM

Yes! I would like to receive a copy of Bogs & Fens of Ireland Conservation
Plan 2005

Please send me ______ copies of the plan @ Euro 25 each to the
address below. P&P. Euro 8 Irl; Euro 10 Overseas.

I enclose cheque/postal order for Euro________ made payable to IPCC.
or
Please debit my ACCESS/VISA/MASTERCARD

Expiry Date _____ / ____ Signature ______________________

Card Number _______ / _______ / _______ / _______

Name:_________________________________

Delivery Address:______________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

Please return the completed form together with your payment to:
IPCC, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare
Tel: 045-860133, Fax 045-860481
E-Mail: bogs@ipcc.ie Web Site: http://www.ipcc.ie

Action for Bogs & Wildlife

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