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Peatland World Saved

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For release 7 July 2003

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council have saved the future of the Peatland World at Lullymore in County Kildare in a pre-auction purchase completed today.

Teagasc the farm advisory board who originally established Peatland World in 1992 were to put the property up for auction this week as part of a rationalisation plan. More than likely the property would have been sold for re-development. This would have been a great loss for peatland conservation and education in Ireland.

"The chance to secure Peatland World and turn it into a centre of excellence for the teaching, interpretation and public awareness of peatland issues was just too good an opportunity for IPCC to turn up" said Dr Peter Foss, Chief Executive of IPCC. "Once we heard that the centre was about to go up for auction we approached Teagasc with a proposal to save the centre and maintain its strong links with the bogs. We are also keen to create a centre our supporters can be proud of and which the public will find useful". "We are delighted that Teagasc accepted our offer and supportive of our proposal.

In the new year IPCC intend to move their headquarters to this property located in the centre of the Bog of Allen and develop its full potential as a cultural interpretive centre for bogs, their past, present and future. In this respect Kildare County Council are sponsoring a trip to the London Wetlands Centre for IPCC staff to see the potential to develop the cultural aspects of peatlands at Peatland World.

In particular IPCC hope to develop new and creative projects at Peatland World involving international peatland groups, which will focus on the conservation of bogs, their wise use and restoration.

"Once our plans for the centre have been fully developed IPCC will initiate a programme of investment in the centre which will see us build on the success and reputation of the project to date" says Dr Ruth Mc Grath of the Board of Directors of IPCC.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a national charity and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Conservation projects include: purchasing Bogland nature reserves, providing resources and training for teachers and education groups, repairing damaged bogs, fostering a positive attitude towards bogs, and encouraging lifestyles in harmony with the environment.
Registered Charity No: CHY6829

ENDS