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Save a sod of the old bog

For immediate release - 25 July 2000

It takes a sod of turf up to 250 years to grow in a bog. The bog it was cut from contains hundreds of species of plant and animal and stunning wildlife habitats. Some bogs have been around for up to 10,000 years, and buried deep within the dark peat lies powerful evidence of our past.

Rather than saving the turf for the fire, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council are inviting people to play their part in saving a sod of the old bog for its heritage value.

Environmental enthusiasts who would like to aid the effort to prevent the bogs of Ireland from disappearing are being invited to buy a symbolic share in an acre of threatened peatland. Full details of the scheme are printed in an information leaflet available from IPCC, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1 and by buying an online sod!.

Boglands are a key part of Ireland's natural heritage. Within Europe Ireland is one of the few countries that still has relatively undamaged boglands for sale. The problem is that sites are also being sought by developers for their turf. Regrettably once the boglands are gone, there's no way of getting them back - unless you can wait a few thousand years! That is why bogs need all our help now if they are to remain wild, wet and wonderful. To allow IPCC to bid successfully for bogs when they become available, they must have a sizeable purchase fund to hand.

"IPCC are proud of our achievements" says Dr Peter Foss, IPCC Chairman. "To date we have purchased six peatland sites which are being managed as nature reserves. The first site bought was Scragh Bog in County Westmeath recognised as one of the last European outposts for a species of spider. The most recent was Fenor Bog in Co. Waterford which was saved from being turned into a dump site and is now the pride of a small local community" says Dr Foss.

Peatlands originally covered 17% of the land surface of Ireland, a higher proportion than any other European country with the exception of Finland. Today less than one quarter remains, and only one fifth of the original area is still of scientific and conservation importance.

Dr Foss added that "with this scheme we all have a chance to do our bit to save a sod of the old bog for future generations to enjoy and marvel at".

IPCC - Action for Bogs - Ag caomhnu na bportach

ENDS