A new Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme has been announced by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan.

The new Scheme aims to encourage local communities, groups, schools and interested parties to engage with the Department in relation to the conservation of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas and other raised bog areas and to promote public engagement and awareness of our natural heritage.

It will support a diverse range of initiatives from events, education programmes, promotions, exhibitions, local area improvements, the development of conservation/management plans, amenity and local bog area improvements such as invasive species control near/within raised bog Special Areas of Conservation/Natural Heritage Areas or other raised bog areas.

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This follows a successful pilot phase in 2018 in which 14 community groups were supported in their peatland endeavours, including:

Kilteevan Tidy Towns Committee received funding of €17,000 from the Department to develop a walking trail around Kilteevan bog in County Roscommon and for the installation of signage and bat boxes.

Kilteevan Tidy Towns Chairperson, Ms. Eileen Fahey said: "My experience with the scheme was very positive. The funding was of enormous benefit to our community and peatlands area. There is a major increase in the number of people walking the area and it has increased awareness around biodiversity on our boglands. We have had many enquiries about hosting educational tours for primary school children and had many positive comments about the peace and tranquillity of the area. We were very lucky to have had the support and guidance of the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff."

Further details of this year’s scheme and application process are available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department at www.npws.ie.