P r e s s R e l e a s e

CONFERENCE SEEKS CONSERVATION PLAN FOR IRISH BOGS

For Release November 6, 1997

In an effort to raise public consciousness about the need to develop a conservation plan for the bogs of Ireland, and as an agenda-setting exercise for the emergence of a national peatland conservation strategy, a major one-day conference is being organised by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council. The conference is to be held in the Royal Dublin Hotel on November 14. It will be officially opened by Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna.

Conservationists, environmentalists, scientists, farmers, semi-state bodies and government officials will come together at this event to make recommendations for inclusion in a sustainable development strategy for peatlands. These will be given to the appropriate Government department officials involved in this work.

Some twelve Irish and international speakers will outline their ideas on the wise use of our peatland resources in the future. Issues highlighted will include a national overview of the peatland resource, management and planning of peatlands, and the strengths and weaknesses of legislation.

The delegates will also hear about the threats to peatlands from horticulture and gardening and the need for increased public awareness of the conservation importance of Irish peatlands.

It is hoped that Peatlands 2000 will provide a forum to assist with the exchange of experience and knowledge resulting in the preparation of a national conservation strategy.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council, which has been fighting for bogland preservation for 15 years, aims to have the issue placed right at the top of the Government's conservation agenda. It is seeking a commitment from the appropriate Government departments to undertake work on an action plan for peatland conservation which can been adopted by all interest groups.

An exhibition of Irish and international peatland projects will run concurrently with the conference to include contemporary research on various sustainable use projects promoting peatlands.

Peatlands 2000 Conference
Royal Dublin Hotel,
O' Connell Street,
Dublin 1
November 14, 1997
9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Tel: 087-431 761
(Conference Hotline on the day only)

SPONSORS: Blooms Hotel, City Jet, Department of the Environment, The Doyle Tara Hotel, ENFO, Galway County Council, Klee Paper, Laois County Council, Offaly County Council, Roscommon County Council, The Shelbourne Hotel, Wicklow County Council, World Wide Fund for Nature UK, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, FAS Community Employment and the European Union.

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