New Research Launched at Tóchar Conference Reveals Strong Public Support for Wetland Restoration

Nearly half of respondents have a vested interest in wetland restoration, with 10% of those acknowledging that restoration may have potential impacts on traditional livelihoods and impact turf cutters and bog contractors.

• 61% of Irish adults have visited a wetland area.
• 72% of the public rank nature restoration as the most important benefit of restoring wetlands.
• 33% of people nationwide are aware of wetland restoration projects, but awareness is significantly higher in the Just Transition counties.

Thursday, 22 May 2025, Ireland: New research unveiled today at the Tóchar: A Path from the Past, A Future for Wetlands conference reveals a strong public interest in wetlands and insights into the way we interact with them.

The RED C research, commissioned by the Tóchar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Project, offers timely insights into Irish attitudes toward wetlands, restoration benefits, and the perceived impact on rural livelihoods.

The findings were presented during a lively day of discussions and community engagement at the conference, where the opening address from John Feehan explored the role of ecological processes for the future of wetlands. The event brought together policymakers, ecologists, landowners, contractors, and local voices to explore the path ahead for wetlands in the Midlands. Held in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, the event opened with a ‘Wake Up to the Bog’ walk and featured keynote addresses from representatives of the European Commission and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Tóchar Project representatives and a range of community voices such as Abbeyleix Bog Project, Women in Nature Restoration and the Tóchar Fens Restoration project.

Welcoming the research, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said:

“Through the Tóchar Project, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is restoring vital wetlands not only to protect biodiversity, but also to ensure that communities who have long been dependent on peatlands are part of a fair and inclusive transition. I am delighted that the NPWS is supporting initiatives like Tóchar that combine social equity with environmental stewardship. The research being launched today highlights the deep connection Irish people feel to our wetlands and underscores the public’s growing support for nature-based solutions to climate and biodiversity challenges. We need to ensure that meeting these challenges delivers climate action benefits while preserving livelihoods and our heritage.”

Speaking about the research, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD said:

“The restoration of Ireland’s wetlands is a vital step in protecting our natural heritage and tackling climate change. These ecosystems are at the heart of our biodiversity and play a crucial role in flood management, carbon storage, and sustaining rural communities. Through the Tóchar Project, we are not just restoring landscapes, we are strengthening the connection between people and nature. This initiative ensures that wetland restoration is carried out in a way that benefits both the environment and the communities who have relied on these lands for generations. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to create a sustainable future where conservation and rural livelihoods can thrive side by side.”

This research was commissioned to better understand how people across Ireland perceive wetlands and their restoration and this was a key topic of discussion throughout the event. The findings reinforced many of the themes raised during panel discussions and storytelling sessions, such as “Stories from the Community” and “The Irish Perspective: Reflections on the Past and a Look to the Future”, where local peat contractors, landowners, and ecologists shared their lived experiences and aspirations for the transition.

It’s clear that while there is strong support for nature-based solutions like wetland restoration, we also need to acknowledge and address the concerns of rural communities whose lives and traditions are closely tied to these landscapes. This insight will help shape how we engage with the public and deliver the project in a way that’s inclusive and informed.

Key research findings include:

• 61% of Irish adults have visited a wetland area, with this number rising to nearly 70% in the EU Just Transition Territory counties.
• Nature restoration (72%), flood mitigation (57%), and carbon storage (50%) rank as the top perceived benefits of wetland restoration.
• While many support wetland restoration, 49% of respondents express concern about its impact, particularly on traditional rural livelihoods.
• 1 in 3 Irish adults have heard of wetland restoration projects, but there is a need for better communication and community engagement. Awareness is significantly higher in the EU Just Transition Territory counties.

The Tóchar Project, a three-year initiative managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund, is dedicated to restoring these vital landscapes across the Midlands.

Ireland’s wetlands play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and climate resilience. However, many of these fragile ecosystems have been degraded over time.
The Tóchar project is focusing on restoring degraded wetlands in Kildare, Galway, Roscommon, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, and Westmeath, working closely with local communities to ensure a just transition.

Commenting on the project launch, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien TD said:

“Tóchar represents a key opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the restoration and protection of Irish wetlands. In addition to their cultural and historic importance, wetlands play a critical role in carbon sequestration, functioning as a long-term carbon sink. Supporting sustainable land-use initiatives such as Tóchar will be essential to achieving our climate goals and ensuring a just transition away from a fossil fuel-dependent landscape. I look forward to seeing the full potential of this innovative scheme.”

Shirley Clerkin, Tóchar Project Manager, stresses the importance of collaboration:

“The research shows that wetland restoration is about more than just conservation; it’s about people and their ongoing relationship with their environment. The survey results demonstrate an understanding of wetland ecosystem benefits but also show where we need to work together to enhance and build capacity for wetland restoration in the midlands. By working with communities, landowners, and peat contractors we can create a legacy of sustainable living, climate resilience, and biodiversity protection that benefits everyone.“

Clare Bannon, A/Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA):

“As the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, EMRA recognises the profound impact that the EU Just Transition Fund programme has on the communities and environment in the wider Midlands. This research commissioned by the Tóchar project, is valuable to understanding how people across Ireland perceive wetlands and their restoration. This insight will be integral in shaping how Tóchar can ensure that wetland restoration is carried out in a way that is inclusive and well-informed. Our goal is to create a sustainable future where conservation and rural livelihoods thrive side by side, adopting a deep connection between people and their natural heritage.”

The day closed with a ‘Rejuvenation Bog Walk’, allowing attendees to experience firsthand the landscapes that are the focus of Ireland’s wetland restoration movement.

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22-05-2025 – For Immediate Release
Gearòid Maher age 3, and Fiadh Maher aged 10 months from Laois in Abbeyleix Bog, as part of Tòchar Project research launch on National Biodiversity Week.
Pic: Karl Hussey Photography – no repro fee

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22-05-2025 – For Immediate Release
Stèphanie Ganter-Houzel, Programme Manager, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission; Shirley Clerkin, Project Manager, Tòchar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Scheme and Clare Bannon, Acting Director, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
Pic: Karl Hussey Photography – no repro fee

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22-05-2025 – For Immediate Release
Stèphanie Ganter-Houzel, Programme Manager, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission; Shirley Clerkin, Project Manager, Tòchar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Scheme and Clare Bannon, Acting Director, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
Pic: Karl Hussey Photography – no repro fee

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22-05-2025 – For Immediate Release
Stèphanie Ganter-Houzel, Programme Manager, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission; Shirley Clerkin, Project Manager, Tòchar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Scheme and Clare Bannon, Acting Director, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
Pic: Karl Hussey Photography – no repro fee

No Repro fee
22-05-2025 – For Immediate Release
Gearòid Maher age 3, and Fiadh Maher aged 10 months from Laois in Abbeyleix Bog, as part of Tòchar Project research launch on National Biodiversity Week.
Pic: Karl Hussey Photography – no repro fee