Lough Boora Parklands

Bord na Móna is delighted to have received a very special award at the Chambers Ireland CSR Awards 2011. The eighth annual Awards were partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, a unique movement of companies who are committed to responsible business practices. They hope to continually challenge businesses in improving their positive impact on society in the community, environment, marketplace and workplace.

The Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot, had this to say at the event, ” This evening’s event and the individual efforts by each of the companies here tonight illustrate the positive work that is still taking place. Ireland has an opportunity to step out as a leader in the area of CSR, to show our commitment to the world in which we operate and to increase our credibility as a first-class place in which to do business.”

This positive sentiment was echoed by the Minister for Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, who added, “I am truly encouraged that despite economic pressures, companies in Ireland are continuing to contribute to society by conducting business in a fair manners and embracing responsibility for social and environment issues. The partnerships being forged between the business community and wider society reaffirms the commitment by many businesses to contribute to economic development while also integrating consideration for the community in their business operations.”

The Lough Boora Parklands development was deemed to be such an unusual initiative, and so positive for the community, that it was honoured with the Most Innovative CSR Project Award.

Lough Boora Parklands is the pilot project for what will be 80,000 hectares of Ireland’s cutaway bogland – an area spanning 11 counties and three provinces. The parklands project is both interesting and exciting, its significance far exceeding the 2,000 hectare site itself.

The parklands consist of a magnificant collection of natural & manmade lakes, wetlands, woodland areas, 50km of walkways, natural recolonisation and pastureland whilst providing a new habitat for wildlife,  flora & fauna.