The Burns Bog Conservation Society celebrates International Bog Day with a festival, tours, entertainment and booths. But the day starts with the now well-supported 'Jog for the Bog'.
Celebrating this important day gives us a global link. It's encouraging to think that around the world, bogs, and the organisations that support them, are all working to help people understand the significance of bogs and what they mean to the health of people and the planet.
On 29th July 2012 :-
- The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is celebrating 30 years since it was established. It has a birthday party at the Allen Nature Centre at Lullymore, County Kildare.
- In Scotland, where International Bog Day started in 1989, the Forsinard Flows RSPB Nature Reserve has guided walks and activities.
- In Wales, Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve near Wrexham and Whitchurch - a European Special Area of Conservation - is hosting walks.
- Volo Bog State Natural Area in Illinois was the first to bring IBD to the USA in 2008, and this year they have a great slate of things to do.
So, great stuff around the world this weekend. This summer, everyone really needs to sit up and take notice of bogs, just as they are sitting up and taking notice of the extreme weather conditions.
Based on research done in Canada, the IPCC are recommending five steps to restoring bogs. We humans have spent many years using them as a resource without thinking about whether they were renewable or not - or even whether it mattered. Now it's time to take responsibility for our actions.