"The wetlands across counties Cavan and Monaghan are very diverse". That's according to Heather Bothwell, local Geo Park guide, who says that wetlands are vital to the survival of people and the planet.
Heather spoke to Northern Sound as World Wetlands Day kicked off on the 2nd of February - it's focus was on wetlands restoration and the urgent need to pritorise it. The local geologist says that everything that lives in the wetlands has had to adapt to that particular environment including the curlew which is becoming extinct.
Heather added that peatlands - which are part of the wetlands fabric - hold more carbon that rain forests do. "There is a famous example in Co Cavan - Killyconny Bog - which is located in east Cavan. It is a Special Area of Conservation and is being gradually restored by the Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
"Initially, there was also some help provided by Coillte. It's a great example of a small low-land bog that can, and is, being gradually restored," she said.
