Get your hands dirty and volunteer in 2015

PRESS RELEASE:  9th January 2015

Get your hands dirty and volunteer in 2015

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore, Co. Kildare is run by a charity, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC).  The IPCC are always looking for volunteers to help out with their nature based projects at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre or on one of their peatland nature reserves in Counties Kildare, Meath or Waterford.   Volunteers can join any time throughout the year. You can help with a specific project for a few hours or volunteer on a regular basis, its your choice.

Already this year volunteers have been out on Lodge Bog, Co. Kildare measuring water levels and although it is still winter the volunteers reported seeing some wonderful peatland wildlife including sparrowhawk, meadow pipits and snipe. This week at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre volunteers were busy building raised beds for growing vegetables in the peat free wildlife garden.

Upcoming volunteering opportunities include the ongoing restoration work on Girley Bog in Co. Meath with over 1.5km of drains that need to be blocked. March will be the month to begin surveying the Spring nest sites of the endangered Marsh Fritillary butterfly.  April will bring the start of the national butterfly monitoring scheme on Lullymore West Bog in Co. Kildare.  It is a great opportunity to take in some exercise and learn the different butterfly species of Ireland.  Those interested in gardening can help out in the wildlife gardens at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre where you can learn all about composting, how to garden with wildlife in mind, see rain water harvesting in action and general garden maintenance.

If you decide to make volunteering your new years resolution there is plenty of choice with the IPCC.  To get started fill out our volunteer application form online by visiting www.ipcc.ie or contact the centre on 045-860133 or bogs@ipcc.ie.

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Editors Notes: The Irish Peatland Conservation Council aims to conserve a representative sample of Irish peatlands for future generations to enjoy.

For interviews or pictures please contact: Nuala Madigan, Education Officer, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare

Tel: +353 (0)45 860 133

E-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie

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