Tara.Challoner

A project involving rewetting sections of a blanket bog near Mullagh in west Clare is aiming to boost biodiversity in the area. The blanket bog is being rewetted to provide a wildlife sanctuary for rare habitats and numerous species of conservation concern, including  Merlin and Hen harrier. The project is a collaborative effort between local farmer Seán Tubridy, the Knocknahila Community Group, and Clare County Council. It is the second community-led peatland rewetting project to be undertaken in the county and the first of its kind in west Clare. The project, which aims to rewet sections of 27ac of peatlands, is funded by Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

https://www.independent.ie/farming/forestry-enviro/clare-farmer-rewets-27-acres-of-bog-in-new-biodiversity-project-we-hope-this-can-be-an-example-to-others/a1624588728.html

Members of the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee  met recently to  receive updates from Ramsar Europe and to discuss our objectives for the coming year.  We were facilitated by NPWS at Ireland’s newest National Park,  Brú na Bóinne  which forms part of the World Heritage Property here  set within an extensive demesne  along the River Boyne and valley in County Meath.

We listened  to a very interesting talk from Shirley Clerkin project manager of the innovative Tóchar, an exciting wetlands restoration project in the Midlands. for more about what is happening under this project, see here Home – Tóchar Wetlands

Our visit coincided with the arrival of some special visitors. These Old Irish Goats are being introduced for conservation grazing to help restore part of the estate. The Old Irish Goat is Ireland’s indigenous landrace breed, now critically endangered and only found in remote mountain ranges roaming in feral herds.  Using these goats to help restore habitats by their grazing helps to conserve the breed.

Date: Saturday March 1st

Time 11.00 am

Location: Meet at river path below front of Falls Hotel, Ennistymon (V95 D2PC)

All welcome. Please bring pickers, gloves and used heavy duty bags.

The Community Wetlands Forum in association with Monaghan and Clare County Council Biodiversity officers have published a lovely and comprehensive guide to wetlands, especially designed for communities.  Follow this link:  Irish Wetlands

This guide contains information on different wetland habitat types and provides  step- by -step guide for communities wishing to protect or manage a wetland.