The Presentation Sisters of the South West Province who owned a 20 acre bog in Lixnaw allowed it to return to nature. They themselves took on the costs of rewildingwhere you restore nature just by helping it repair itself. At the same time they made sure to talk to the local people who had access to the bog. Long absent species of bog plants and animals were given a chance to return to what became a wetter bog and therefore a healthier bog.
Where did this start?
Lixnaw, North Kerry.
Who started this action?
Presentation Sisters of the South West Province of Ireland
Some quick facts about the project
- The Presentation Sisters of the South West Province of Ireland decided in 2012 to give a bog back to ‘Mother Earth’ by allowing it to go back to nature.
- This involved talking with local farmers who for generations had cut turf from the bog. At one stage machine cutters were used there.
- The Sisters understood their responsibilities to all in respect of Climate Change and began preserving the bog. Because it was outside the areas of “designated conservation status” all costs were and are paid for by the Sisters.
- An important first step was to work with people who had some expertise in the management and conservation of bogs. This helped identifying the weaknesses of the bog and how it could be looked after.
- Once fenced off it was rested from people coming onto the bog allowing only the small animals in to nest. This gave long absent species of bog plants and animals the chance to take return. It became a wetter bog and therefore a healthier bog.
Background
In 1875 the Presentation Sisters were invited into the Parish of Lixnaw, North Co. Kerry by a local wealthy land owner. Lixnaw or “Leic Snámha” in Irish means floating flag (as in flag stones). Having accepted the invitation to educate the children of the tenant farmers who worked the surrounding land, the Sisters were offered just over 20 acres of “bog”.
Highlights Click toggle ⊕ to see these
- In 2012, the need for “Preservation Status” on the bog came when the Presentation Sisters aimed to make a stand on their climate change responsibilities, to contribute to a better Lixnaw, a better Ireland and a better planet.
- The bog rejuvenationmaking new and healthy again project helped improve people’s connection and sense of place in the environment. It showed that people can make a difference and create examples.
- The restored bog is now a home to plants, wildlife and insect life and a healthy bog that is thriving undisturbed.
- The Sisters continue to educate on the importance of us understanding our locality as well as the natural habitats of the raised bog.
- Their project shows that a local act can have global impact, with the bog serving as a proud local example of community action.
- The conservation work on the bog continues and the Presentation Sisters are happy to engage students of all ages (up to university age) as well as visitors. When they come now, they are treated to a thriving wet bog full of the expected plants, flowers and animals of an untouched bog. The return of so many different species of animals and nesting birds shows the huge success of the project
Why this matters
The sisters knew that they could become an example to others by leading on a project that other people and groups could follow. They also knew that they needed to get the local people on board and so explained their ideas and talked them through. Knowing that they needed to get help from people experienced in bog rewilding was also very important – you have to know how to reach out to others.
SDG Alignment & Keywords Click toggle ⊕ to see these
- SDG 13: Climate Action,
- SDG 15: Life on land
Keywords: nature-based solution, biodiversity, climate change, farming, kerry, bogs, turf.
Find Out More about the project
The Activists Take-Away
A nature-based solution takes some imagination: you have to think about what the best way to solve a problem is. But it often means that you have to make alliances with local stakeholderspeople that will be affected (good or bad) by a project.
Listen to this podcast to learn how the people of Mulranny use the best communications practice to make sure they build alliances within their community.
Sustainable development, and participative democracy.
Listen on…
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