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 PartnershipNational Trust for ScotlandNatural EnglandNatural Resources WalesNorth Pennines Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership;  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); Scottish Natural HeritageScottish Wildlife TrustUniversity of East LondonUniversity of Newcastle and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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

Peatland at Inshriach, Allt a’ Mharcaidh
Largest ever gathering of UK peatland experts to celebrate ‘Peatlands, People and Nature’ in the Cairngorms National ParkAviemore in the Cairngorms National Park is to play host to the UK’s largest gathering of peatland…
Landscape of mountains and forest
View the full programme for #PeatConf24 and book your tickets now!The full programme for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme 2024 conference ‘Peatlands, People and Nature…
CivTech in white writing with blue background and outlines of scales, lightbulb and book
CivTech challenge invites ideas for Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon CodeProposals are being invited for the Scottish Government's CivTech Challenge 10.6 to use technology…
Talla Gameshope image
Changes to UK Land Carbon Registry feesFrom 1 November 2024, the fees charged to issue and convert units on the UK Land Carbon Registry…
Peatland with mountains on the background
Scottish peatland recognised as globally important by UNESCO World Heritage Site designation The Flow Country in the north of Scotland, Europe's largest expanse of blanket bog, has been…
Brown butterfly with black spots on pink bell shaped flower
New species showcase - large heathOur latest species showcase introduces the large heath butterfly, its association with two iconic…
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…