Sites involved in 'Connecting People with our Peatland Heritage'
France, Lapland, Scotland, Ireland
Magoar-Penvern, Brittany
Size/type
This is a very small site. A mosaic of wet habitats, it covers 34ha to the south of the little village of Glomel in the Côtes d’Armor Department.
Ownership/management
Magoar-Penvern is owned by the French Hunting and Conservation Foundation – Fondation Nationale de la Protection des Habitats Français et de la Fauna Sauvage - FNPHFS. The foundation bought the site, together with 76ha of peatland at La Bern, in 1991, using money raised by subscription from hunters. In 1992, management was delegated to the locally based Association de Mise en Valeur de Lan Bern et Magoar - AMV.
Distinctive features
Banks known as 'talus', made from earth and/or stone. These have been the traditional means of crossing the area since medieval times.
Key wildlife
Characteristic wet heathland vegetation including sundews Drosera spp. and butterwort Pinguicula lusitanica. The 323 species of insect listed in 2002/2003 include marsh fritillary and a large range of frogs and newts.
Previous use/cultural relevance
Small-scale farming, including grazing and cutting of fodder, until the 1980s. Had a good reputation for hunting of waterbirds in the past, but no hunting now, due to protected area status.
Visitor use before the project
No public access, so use minimal – about four or five accompanied groups of 20 people per year (mainly research students).
Aim of LEADER+ work
Involve young people in providing new opportunities for a large number of people to get access to a peatland and its associated mosaic of habitats
Increase awareness of a wetland habitat complex.
Illustrations:
Click on maps for larger images.
