The IUCN UK Peatland Programme exists to promote peatland restoration in the UK and advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

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Peatland Programme

Our Vision

 

Our long term vision is that peatlands in the UK function to their full potential and that there is no further loss of peatland ecosystems, providing cost effective solutions for climate change, water and biodiversity. Investment in peatland restoration is needed now, securing the benefits they provide and avoiding the costly consequences of their deterioration.

The work of the Peatland Programme is overseen by a coalition of partner bodies including: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra); Moors for the Future Partnership; National Trust for Scotland; Natural England; Natural Resources Wales; North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership;  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); Scottish Natural Heritage; Scottish Wildlife Trust; University of East London; University of Newcastle and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. 

The Programme is currently hosted by The Wildlife Trusts and primarily funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Haresfoot cottongrass with blue sky in the background. Credit Laurie Campbell SNH
New briefing addresses the peatlands and methane debateThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new briefing “Peatlands and Methane” that summarises…
Peatland with mountains in the background
New £3 million fund for peatland restoration in Northern IrelandApplications for the new £3million Peatland Challenge Fund to help protect Northern Ireland's…
Sphagnum moss on healthy peatland
Scotland’s Peatland ACTION programme hits record restoration milestoneFor the first time since the Peatland ACTION programme began, more than 10,000 hectares of damaged…
A cottongrass seedhead
New species showcase - cottongrassOur May species showcase looks at the role that cottongrass plays in peatlands, its cultural and…
Jennifer Fulton at an IUCN UK Peatland Programme conference
Remembering Jennifer FultonWe, at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, are still reeling from the loss of Jennifer Fulton, Chief…
Dotterel (c) Pete Quinn
Conference 2024 tickets now on sale!Tickets for our 2024 conference in Aviemore, 17-19 September, are now on sale - join us to…
Dunlin (c) RSPB
New species showcase - dunlinThe third of our showcases explores the importance of dunlin as an indicator species for peatland…
Landscape view of Red Moss of Balerno
Peatland Code Public Consultation The Peatland Code is committed to continuous improvement and would like to invite you to comment on…
Micrograph of testate amoeba showing internal structures
Please give 10 minutes of your time to help answer the question: Is palaeoecological research utilised in UK peatland restoration projects? Can you complete a short survey on the extent to which palaeoecological research is utilised in UK…
Group of people stood in an open peatland landscape
Muirburn licencing made law in ScotlandScotland’s peatlands will benefit from increased protection due to a new law passed on 21st March…
Molinia Mulching Agglestone Mire, remover higher tussocks to increase the connectivity of the floodplain (c) Sally Wallington
Dorset peatland restorationThe Dorset Peat Partnership completed the first of their sixteen peatland restoration sites in…
Work begins at Duchal Moor. © Giulia Spilotros/Glasgow Green Network Clyde Valley
Council leads the way with major peatland restoration project A three-year project to restore an area of peatland larger than 780 football pitches in Inverclyde…

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