Latest News

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

Desmids of peatlands © Emma Goodyer

Latest News

Forestry Commission Scotland on the look out for contractors

July 12, 2017
Peatland restoration is now a mainstream activity for Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) across the National Estate. During the summer of 2017 FCS will be publishing a procurement tender to appoint suitably qualified and experienced contractors to a national framework, with an estimated value of between £8m and £12m. The framework will run for up to four years and deliver all of the peatland restoration on the National Estate, including excavator based tree recycling and rewetting works and manual rewetting works.

Forest-to-Bog Restoration: a new best practice procedure

June 30, 2017
A recent paper in the Scottish Forestry Journal (Scottish Forestry Volume 71, No.1 Spring/Summer 2017) looked at the impact of forestry operations on globally important freshwater pearl mussel populations and mitigation measures to conserve mussels. Many forestry plantations were created on peat soils requiring extensive drainage systems that then feed into natural watercourses. These drains release significant amounts of sediment and nutrients into natural watercourses to the detriment of freshwater pearl mussel populations as well as other aquatic animals.

Job Opportunities (June 2017)

June 27, 2017
A list of currently advertised jobs in the peatland community. Please note this list is not exhaustive, but includes opportunities that have been shared with the team.

Flow Country exhibition launched in Edinburgh

June 26, 2017
Royal Botanic Garden is the first venue for an important exhibition which will tour across the United Kingdom.

A New Management Approach for Grouse Moors

June 22, 2017
Recently, IUCN UK Peatland Programme met with staff from Moorland Association, Natural England and North Pennines AONB Partnership at Wemmergill Estate, near Barnard Castle, to discuss how to deliver healthy blanket bog on an active moorland grouse estate.

Crossing the Moss: The Story of a Solway Moss and the Solway Junction Railway

June 19, 2017
In the late 1860s, a railway – the Solway Junction Railway (SJR) – was constructed across the ‘Moss’ of Bowness Common. Where it met the Solway Firth, it soared above the waves to Annan on the Scottish side, across the Solway Viaduct – a structure that was “light and elegant, and in the full tide [had] the semblance of a piece of enchanted workmanship resting on the bosom of the racing waters”.

Going to The Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, Edinburgh this weekend (22-25th June) or the Scone Game Fair in Perth (30th June- 2nd July)?

June 19, 2017
Well, if you’re a landowner in Scotland with an area of peatland, such as a blanket bog or lowland raised bog, then funding is available to restore these extremely important habitats.

Dryhope 2017
Major milestone in peatland restoration as first blended finance project is verifiedThis month marks a very important milestone for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme’s Peatland Code, as…
People grouped together, standing and sitting on a baled crop.
Opportunity to contribute to the understanding of the constraints and opportunities for agricultural lowland peat Views are being sought from a range of stakeholders who have experience of, or are interested in,…
Exterior view of Virtual Peatlands Pavilion showing four large domes in a peat swamp forest
The Virtual Peatlands Pavilion Word Tour continues at Ramsar COP15The next stop for the immersive digital library of peatland resources is Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe,…
Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
Windfarm on peatland site
National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
Cross section of bare peat
New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…