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.

Image of machinery being used on a peatland to restore the habitat
Natural Resources Wales announces new funding for peatland restorationA new restoration fund, managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), was launched this week in an…
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme team at the base of Kinder Scout
Reflecting on 2024: a busy year for peatlandsAs the year draws to a close, the IUCN UK Peatland Programme looks back on 2024.
Four people in outdoor clothing looking out across a peatland landscape. Image credit: Mark Reed
Help answer the question: Do investors undervalue the social impact of peatland projects in the UK when making investment decisions?Business professionals at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership are seeking…
Photograph of Cornwall Sustainability Awards on a table with a screen in the background
Big Win for Cornwall’s Peatlands at Local Sustainability AwardsThe South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP) has been recognised at the 2024 Cornwall Sustainability…
Aerial image of hagging on a damaged blanket bog landscape. Image credit: Mark Brown
Technical review of remote sensing for UK peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has commissioned a technical review of the potential and…
Salmon leaping out of the water. Image credit Stephen Barlow
New species showcase - Atlantic salmonThe latest in our series of species showcases celebrates the Atlantic salmon and the role that…
Exterior view of Virtual Peatland Pavilion showing four large domes in an urban landscape
New Virtual Peatland Pavilion launched for COP29To raise awareness of the global importance of peatlands during COP29, the latest pavilion has been…
Cover image for 'The most important plant in the world' showing the film's title in yellow text over a background of Sphagnum moss
Specially commissioned film celebrates 'The most important plant in the world'The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has commissioned the first in a series of short films, celebrating…
Cumbrian tarn - large body of water with emergent vegetation and hills in the distance. Image credit Steve Hewert.
Launch of the Peatland Code Version 2.1The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new update to the Peatland Code, which helps to boost…
Flat peatland landscape on fire with large plumes of smoke. Image credit Paul Turner
New brief highlights the importance of peatland rewetting for wildfire resilienceThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme's latest publication explores recent evidence from the UK and North…
Painting of a river in spate: Peter Graham 1866, 'A spate in the highlands'
Call for proposals for Water Research Seminar SeriesThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Environment Agency are delighted to announce a series of…
'Work in progress' sign with a digger on it next to two photographs of children drawing on large sheets of paper
The Power of the Peat Bogs! How pupils turned their environmental education into a song Primary school pupils who have engaged with a project to restore ancient peatland and traditional…

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