merrion street

Josepha Madigan, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, announced that she has approved grant funding of just under €137,000 for twelve local community groups and organisations for a variety of projects focused on the conservation and revitalisation of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas and other raised bog areas in 2018.

Announcing the funding today the Minister stated that she was delighted to see the diverse range of initiatives put forward by these active community groups and environmental organisations under the pilot of the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme. This funding will support the work of the Community Wetlands Forum, the development of walking trails and looped walks around bogs, visitor facilitation in local community buildings, local area amenity improvements along with restoration works to the raised bog areas.

The Minister went on to say

I recognise the investment made by local communities in their areas and their efforts to conserve and protect the natural environment. I hope to continue to support such efforts in the future.