MWM Bog Heritage Project Presentation and Book
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MWM Bog Heritage Project Presentation and Book Launch Coolronan Ecology Centre 15 Feb 2013 Introduction This project was setup in Nov 2011 by a group of people in the locality. The project group is called MWM Bog Heritage Group
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01
MWM Bog Heritage Project Presentation and Book Launch
Coolronan Ecology Centre
15 Feb 2013<br>
Coolronan Ecology Centre
15 Feb 2013<br>
02
Introduction This project was setup in Nov 2011
by a group of people in the locality.
The project group is called MWM Bog Heritage Group (Meath/Westmeath) and is based here in this building called Coolronan Ecology Centre
Thanks to Paul Nolan , Swan Inn proprietor for allowing
the group to be located in this building lease free for
the moment.<br>
by a group of people in the locality.
The project group is called MWM Bog Heritage Group (Meath/Westmeath) and is based here in this building called Coolronan Ecology Centre
Thanks to Paul Nolan , Swan Inn proprietor for allowing
the group to be located in this building lease free for
the moment.<br>
03
Objective Summary To develop an area within Bord Na Mona managed section of Ballivor bog as an amenity for the locality and for visitors.
Develop this area within the bog where native bog plants and wildlife can flourish for both educational and environmental reasons
To promote the heritage aspect of Ballivor bog for the interest of current and former residents of the area, and for the wider community
To develop this building as a centre with information available on
local heritage and environmental issues
Bring some employment and business opportunities to the locality.
This is a long-term objective<br>
Develop this area within the bog where native bog plants and wildlife can flourish for both educational and environmental reasons
To promote the heritage aspect of Ballivor bog for the interest of current and former residents of the area, and for the wider community
To develop this building as a centre with information available on
local heritage and environmental issues
Bring some employment and business opportunities to the locality.
This is a long-term objective<br>
04
Objective 1 To develop an area within Bord Na Mona managed section of Ballivor bog as an amenity for the locality and for visitors.
Ballivor Bog was a raised bog that comprises an area of 7,000 acres
approx. Bord Na Móna have ownership and control of 5,500 acres
of the total.
The project group have had discussions with Bord Na Móna
to section an area within the area of bog under their control to be
sectioned off as part of a bog preservation and restoration project
Also to facilitate walkways /access through the bog<br>
Ballivor Bog was a raised bog that comprises an area of 7,000 acres
approx. Bord Na Móna have ownership and control of 5,500 acres
of the total.
The project group have had discussions with Bord Na Móna
to section an area within the area of bog under their control to be
sectioned off as part of a bog preservation and restoration project
Also to facilitate walkways /access through the bog<br>
05
Objective 2 Create an area within the bog where native bog plants and wildlife can flourish
Native plants : Peat Forming Sphagnum Mosses ,Bog Bean, Deer Antler
Lichen, Butterwort, Sundew, Bog Cotton, Bell + Ling Heather,
Lichens, Cranberries, Bog Asphodel.
Native Animals: Fox, Hare, Deer, Bat
Native Amphibians: Otter, Newt , Common Frog
Native Birds : Red Grouse, Corncrake, Curlew, Merlin , Lapwing, Hen Harrier,
Skylark, Meadow, Pipit
And many varieties of Invertebrates: Slugs, Spiders, Moths, and butterflies,
Dragonflies, Damselflies ,Beetles
(List compiled from IPCC website)<br>
Native plants : Peat Forming Sphagnum Mosses ,Bog Bean, Deer Antler
Lichen, Butterwort, Sundew, Bog Cotton, Bell + Ling Heather,
Lichens, Cranberries, Bog Asphodel.
Native Animals: Fox, Hare, Deer, Bat
Native Amphibians: Otter, Newt , Common Frog
Native Birds : Red Grouse, Corncrake, Curlew, Merlin , Lapwing, Hen Harrier,
Skylark, Meadow, Pipit
And many varieties of Invertebrates: Slugs, Spiders, Moths, and butterflies,
Dragonflies, Damselflies ,Beetles
(List compiled from IPCC website)<br>
06
Objective 3 To develop the heritage aspect of Ballivor bog for the interest of current and former residents of the area, and for the wider community
Plan to develop this building as a Bog Heritage and Information Centre
The group has met with some senior members of the community to recall their recollections of growing up in and around Ballivor bog in 1940’s 1950’s and 1960’s and their stories have been noted. We will soon present these details on our website. One important landmark in the bog is ruin of the Brown family house.
These recollections are part of the history of the locality and are invaluable to understand living and working in the bog<br>
Plan to develop this building as a Bog Heritage and Information Centre
The group has met with some senior members of the community to recall their recollections of growing up in and around Ballivor bog in 1940’s 1950’s and 1960’s and their stories have been noted. We will soon present these details on our website. One important landmark in the bog is ruin of the Brown family house.
These recollections are part of the history of the locality and are invaluable to understand living and working in the bog<br>
07
Objective 4 Bring some employment and business opportunities to the locality
If the project proceeds as planned , there is an opportunity to support existing businesses in the locality eg
Ground work contractors to develop walkways , removal of items dumped in bog. Also to assist re drainage work and developing areas of untouched and cutover sections of bog to develop sphagnum moss growth
Also once the site is established shops, hotels, guesthouses ,minibus operators who would benefit by visitors to the area<br>
If the project proceeds as planned , there is an opportunity to support existing businesses in the locality eg
Ground work contractors to develop walkways , removal of items dumped in bog. Also to assist re drainage work and developing areas of untouched and cutover sections of bog to develop sphagnum moss growth
Also once the site is established shops, hotels, guesthouses ,minibus operators who would benefit by visitors to the area<br>
08
Activities 2012 Activities to date include
Creation of membership cards to cover costs such as stationery ,
public liability insurance etc Feb 2012
Creation of website www.mwmbogproject.com Feb 2012
Presentation to Ballivor Community and Renaissance Group March 2012
Visited headquarters of IPCC (Irish Peatland Conservation Council) in
Lullymore, Co Kildare April 2012
Meetings with senior residents of Ballivor Bog May 2012
Meeting with Meath Leader archaeologist re house ruin and Cloneycavan Man June 2012
Meeting with environmentalist , Eanna Ni Lamhna June 2012<br>
Creation of membership cards to cover costs such as stationery ,
public liability insurance etc Feb 2012
Creation of website www.mwmbogproject.com Feb 2012
Presentation to Ballivor Community and Renaissance Group March 2012
Visited headquarters of IPCC (Irish Peatland Conservation Council) in
Lullymore, Co Kildare April 2012
Meetings with senior residents of Ballivor Bog May 2012
Meeting with Meath Leader archaeologist re house ruin and Cloneycavan Man June 2012
Meeting with environmentalist , Eanna Ni Lamhna June 2012<br>
09
Activities To Date 2012 continued Meeting with Bord na Mona Feb , July 2012
Meeting with Meath Co Council Heritage Dept , Aug 2012
Meeting with NPWS to discuss wildlife Sept 2012
Attended Bog Regeneration course run by IPCC Sept 2012
Formal application to Meath Leader for funding Sept 2012
Facebook page creation Sept 2012
Approval from Meath Leader for this project to proceed Oct 2012
Meath Leader appointed project consultants commenced ecology survey of Ballivor bog , and organised funding application, Oct/Nov 2012
Attended Irish Peat Society seminar, Mayo Oct 2012<br>
Meeting with Meath Co Council Heritage Dept , Aug 2012
Meeting with NPWS to discuss wildlife Sept 2012
Attended Bog Regeneration course run by IPCC Sept 2012
Formal application to Meath Leader for funding Sept 2012
Facebook page creation Sept 2012
Approval from Meath Leader for this project to proceed Oct 2012
Meath Leader appointed project consultants commenced ecology survey of Ballivor bog , and organised funding application, Oct/Nov 2012
Attended Irish Peat Society seminar, Mayo Oct 2012<br>
10
Activities To Date 2013 Guided walk , Ballivor Bog , Jan 1st 2013
Attended Bord Na Mona BioDiversity Action Plan
Review Day, Lough Boora ,Co Offaly Jan 2013
Meeting with Bord Na Mona to review MWM Project
objectives, Jan 2013
Newstalk FM Radio Presentation Jan 2013
Attended Hydrology course, Navan Feb 2013<br>
Attended Bord Na Mona BioDiversity Action Plan
Review Day, Lough Boora ,Co Offaly Jan 2013
Meeting with Bord Na Mona to review MWM Project
objectives, Jan 2013
Newstalk FM Radio Presentation Jan 2013
Attended Hydrology course, Navan Feb 2013<br>
11
Future Activities Planned Further guided walks , 2 more planned in 2013; one of these will be during Heritage Week Sun Aug 25th
Wild Food Foraging Walk , July /Aug , forms available at desk
Expand and add features to our membership , currently at over 100 ; forms available at desk
Website content update ; pictures and videos; expand Facebook presence
Get firm commitment from Bord Na Mona to allow the group to preserve and develop specific areas of Ballivor Bog
Develop Heritage and Information centre in this building
Visit centres around the country such as Clara and Abbeyleix to get further ideas on bog heritage and amenities
Promote the study of bees and relationship to flora and fauna of a bog
Present environmental awareness evenings in the centre eg Bees , climate issues , farming , woodlands etc<br>
Wild Food Foraging Walk , July /Aug , forms available at desk
Expand and add features to our membership , currently at over 100 ; forms available at desk
Website content update ; pictures and videos; expand Facebook presence
Get firm commitment from Bord Na Mona to allow the group to preserve and develop specific areas of Ballivor Bog
Develop Heritage and Information centre in this building
Visit centres around the country such as Clara and Abbeyleix to get further ideas on bog heritage and amenities
Promote the study of bees and relationship to flora and fauna of a bog
Present environmental awareness evenings in the centre eg Bees , climate issues , farming , woodlands etc<br>
12
Flora and Fauna Bees Wetlands<br>
13
Other Related Matters This project is not intruding on any privately owned parts
of Ballivor bog , only a section of Bord Na Mona bog as
previously outlined.
The group is not opposed to private owners cutting turf
The project is planned to be a long term one which will take time to
develop and maintain<br>
of Ballivor bog , only a section of Bord Na Mona bog as
previously outlined.
The group is not opposed to private owners cutting turf
The project is planned to be a long term one which will take time to
develop and maintain<br>
14
Uses for Irish Peatlands and their resources Animal Bedding
Bird Watching
Bog wood for carving
Camping , Orienteering , Fishing
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Bog snorkelling
Walking trails
Peat smoking of fish & whisky
Medicinal Plants , Heather honey
Balneology , therapies
(Ref Irish Peatland Conservation Council )<br>
Bird Watching
Bog wood for carving
Camping , Orienteering , Fishing
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Bog snorkelling
Walking trails
Peat smoking of fish & whisky
Medicinal Plants , Heather honey
Balneology , therapies
(Ref Irish Peatland Conservation Council )<br>
15
Amenity Activities Bird Watching Bog Tours Nature Trails Raised walkways<br>
16
Items found in Irish Bogs Bog Oak
Bog Butter
Human remains
Humour
I lived in a bog for decades and didn't age a day.
Unfortunately, I smelled like rotten peat moss the
whole time and couldn't get a date in spite of my
eternally youthful looks.
In retrospect, it just wasn't worth the hassle
……Sometimes you can live in the bog too long<br>
Bog Butter
Human remains
Humour
I lived in a bog for decades and didn't age a day.
Unfortunately, I smelled like rotten peat moss the
whole time and couldn't get a date in spite of my
eternally youthful looks.
In retrospect, it just wasn't worth the hassle
……Sometimes you can live in the bog too long<br>
17
Functions of a bog Bogs develop under conditions of low temperature, high acidity, low nutrient supply, stagnant water, and oxygen deficiency.
In addition to being a fuel source , bogs have other important functions
filtering water ..water quality
acting as a water collection basin…drainage
accumulating carbon…environmental
providing habitat for flora and fauna…nature balance<br>
In addition to being a fuel source , bogs have other important functions
filtering water ..water quality
acting as a water collection basin…drainage
accumulating carbon…environmental
providing habitat for flora and fauna…nature balance<br>
18
Effects of Carbon emission Once a peat bog dries out, it starts emitting carbon by giving off carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and methane into the atmosphere, and by releasing it into rivers and streams in the form of dissolved organic carbon (DOC).
Bogs hold staggering amounts of carbon - estimated at 455 petagrams, around a third of the world's stock of soil organic carbon. (1 Petagram = 1 Billion Metric Tonnes)
If bogs lose more carbon as DOC, this could have serious effects on drinking water supplies. As well as turning water brown, dissolved carbon can interfere with treatment filters and make it more expensive to make water safe to drink.
And if peat bogs become badly degraded, there could also be implications for the risk of flooding.<br>
Bogs hold staggering amounts of carbon - estimated at 455 petagrams, around a third of the world's stock of soil organic carbon. (1 Petagram = 1 Billion Metric Tonnes)
If bogs lose more carbon as DOC, this could have serious effects on drinking water supplies. As well as turning water brown, dissolved carbon can interfere with treatment filters and make it more expensive to make water safe to drink.
And if peat bogs become badly degraded, there could also be implications for the risk of flooding.<br>
19
General Principles for Bog Restoration Identifying bogs for preservation through environmental assessment;
Using careful harvesting techniques so that restoration can
be readily achieved
Leaving at least three feet of peat at the bottom of the bog
Returning of harvested bogs to functioning wetlands<br>
Using careful harvesting techniques so that restoration can
be readily achieved
Leaving at least three feet of peat at the bottom of the bog
Returning of harvested bogs to functioning wetlands<br>
20
Example of Bog Restoration project In Abbeyleix Bog in 2009 , BNM worked with local community to restore water levels to promote peat forming vegetation
In Abbeyleix, BNM worked with IPCC (Irish Peatland Conservation council) , IPWS (Irish Parks and Wildlife service) and Laois Heritage on this project. A lease agreement has been put in place with the local community that passes responsibility to local community to manage the bog there.
This is the type of joint initiative that the MWM Bog Project has in mind to promote and sustain the bog.<br>
In Abbeyleix, BNM worked with IPCC (Irish Peatland Conservation council) , IPWS (Irish Parks and Wildlife service) and Laois Heritage on this project. A lease agreement has been put in place with the local community that passes responsibility to local community to manage the bog there.
This is the type of joint initiative that the MWM Bog Project has in mind to promote and sustain the bog.<br>
21
End of Presentation www.facebook.com/pages/MWM-Bog-Project/18969444116467
mwmbogproject.com<br>
mwmbogproject.com<br>