Celebrating 50 Years of World Wetlands Day

February 1, 2021

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2nd February. This year marks the date, 50 years ago, in 1971, of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. In western Europe most of the relatively intact raised bogs occur in the UK and Ireland.

There are 20 designated RAMSAR sites in Northern Ireland and Ballynahone Bog, situated outside Maghera, is a particularly good representative example of a lowland raised bog.

Ballynahone Bog is one of two of the largest intact active bogs in Northern Ireland with hummock and hollow pool complexes and represents one of the best examples of this habitat type in the UK.

Watch our Ammonia Challenge video which discusses the implications of ammonia emissions on the wetland environments.

CAFRE is currently restoring a 50 hectare site of previously drained peatland in the Killylane reservoir catchment to improve water quality, flood alleviation, and biodiversity. Grouse and Stonechats have moved in even before the diggers have left!

Peatlands are very important wetland sites to Northern Ireland as they hold vast quantities of carbon, and act as the catchments for most of our drinking water. 85% of all drinking water in the UK and Ireland is derived from peatlands. Sympathetic management can maintain the carbon store, preserve biodiversity and provide clean drinking water.