1. Fenor Bog: Developing a Community Owned Nature Reserve Dr Catherine O’Connell, Chief Executive Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, bogs@ipcc.ie

2. Fenor Bog Location

3. Importance of Fenor Bog 1 Alkaline Fen Habitat EU priority for conservation Regenerating Valley Fen – rare habitat in County Waterford where there has been a 92% loss of peatlands Site is a refuge for many species of plant, bird and animal

4. Importance of Fenor Bog 2 Moss: Giant Calliergon Moss Calliergon giganteum Marsh St John’s Wort Hypericum elodes

5. Fenor Bog - Project Timeline 1972 An Foras Forbartha recognised the scientific importance of Fenor Bog 1993 Declared an Area of Scientific Interest 1995 Declared a Natural Heritage Area by NPWS No. 1697 1999 Site Purchased, jointly owned between Moin Fhionnurach Development Association and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council 2001-to date: Boardwalk Construction, visitor guide, education pack and interpretive signs 2004 National Nature Reserve 2001 and 2004 Included in European and UNESCO Copper Coast Geopark 1999-on-going: Scientific Surveys and Water Table Monitoring 2008 Conservation Merit Award from the Dutch Foundation for Conservation of Irish Bogs 2009 Conservation Management Plan

6. Educational Boardwalk

7. National Nature Reserve Martin Cullen TD at the official launch in 2004 Community buy in to include buffer zone in nature reserve

8. International Award of Conservation Merit

9. Fenor Research is on-going

10. Hydrological Monitoring

11. Conservation Management Plan Enhance and protect Promote education, amenity and awareness Undertake research and monitoring Prevent damage to the fen Monitor planning See www.ipcc.ie

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