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1999 - A Successful Year for the Save the Bogs Campaign

For Release 20th December 1999

Bogs have had an image problem for many years. Dismissed as drab and
dreary, they rarely feature on any list of local beauty spots. But if you
look closely, the real bog world is in fact a special place of stunning
beauty, startling colours and spectacular wildlife. That is why IPCC is so
committed to conserving this key part of our natural heritage. During 1999,
the IPCC were involved in a wide range of programmes to promote peatland
conservation, and achieved a considerable degree of success.

The year began with the relaunch of IPCC's website at
http://indigo.ie/~ipcc A new feature was added entitled 'Peatlands Around
the World', just right for those who want to learn about bogs in far flung
destinations. Bogs from 16 countries across 4 continents, are included.
Considering that peatlands cover 500 million ha (8%) of the world's
surface, there's plenty to visit.

With help from the IPCC, Dr. Evelyn Moorkens discovered a rare snail -
Vertigo geyeri, on Killaun Bog near Birr in Co. Offaly. The snail, believed
to be a glacial relict from the last Ice Age is one of three land snails
listed for protection in Ireland under the Habitats Directive. The IPCC
called on Duchás to have the site designated an SAC in compliance with the
conditions laid down by the Directive concerning the protection of the
habitats of endangered species.

The IPCC's Education Department was also busy in 1999 with the publication
of two important resource packs to encourage teachers to undertake field
studies with their students. These were the 'Crex Crex Corncrake Resource
Pack' and the 'Wild Woods of Ireland Field Studies Guide'.

On the campaign and conservation front, the most important news of the year
was the purchase of Fenor Bog in County Waterford. This joint project
between Móin Fhionnúrach Development Association and IPCC won the top Ford
Conservation award in Ireland. The award of £5,000 was used to complete the
purchase of the bog and also to conduct a wildlife survey on the site. With
over 200 species of plant and animal, Fenor bog is to be declared a
National Nature Reserve under the Wildlife Act 1976 in the near future.

IPCC were actively involved in the designation of 'Special Areas of
Conservation' debate. At the Atlantic Biogeographical Seminar in Kilkee in
Co. Clare attended by IPCC's Chairman Dr. Peter Foss, Ireland's performance
in relation to the designation of SACs was found insufficient for all types
of bogs and peatlands occurring here. The Irish government have only
designated 67 peatlands out of 700 sites found here as SACs. This gross
under-representation means that the European Commission will be requesting
that Ireland designate more raised bogs, blanket bogs, fens and bog
woodlands as SACs. More than 350 members of the public signed up to the
IPCC's SAC campaign which delivered a strong message to Minister Síle de
Valera convincing her to focus the government's mind on protecting our bogs
and their wildlife. As part of the SAC campaign, IPCC issued three reports
addressing the arguments for designating Ireland's fens, blanket bogs,
raised bogs and bog woodlands as Special Areas of Conservation.

On a final more hopeful note, the Save the Bogs Sale of Work which was held
in November of this year proved a success raising £4000 which will be used
to fund restoration work on Fenor Bog in Co. Waterford.

Overall, IPCC had a successful 1999. We would like to take this opportunity
to acknowledge all those members of the public who supported our
conservation campaign over the year. We hope this continues into the next
millennium so that our bogs don't disappear into history.

Ends