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

Innovative reintroduction of Sphagnum mosses vital to restoration of upland peatbogs

January 17, 2017
The plant that formed the blanket bogs of the Peak District is being reintroduced on a scale never seen before in the UK, by the team at the Moors for the Future Partnership.

Natural Environment at risk unless Government creates new legislation before leaving EU

January 4, 2017
A new report issued today by the Environmental Audit Committee has highlighted that it is imperative that Government identifies appropriate environmental legislation to ensure UK wildlife is not negatively affected by the UK leaving the European Union after Article 50 is invoked.

Candacraig Restoration Flying High

December 15, 2016
The restoration of degraded peatland in the Cairngorms National Park is flying ahead thanks to a little help from a helicopter lift. For the first time in Scotland a large scale project has made extensive use of helicopter lifts. 120 stone dams and 800 bags of Sphagnum-rich mulch were lifted by helicopter onto the restoration site.

Shetland Peatland Project Highly Commended

December 8, 2016
The Shetland Peatland Restoration Project has been highly commended in the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards.

Experts gather in Shrewsbury to create lasting legacy for peatlands

November 28, 2016
Shrewsbury is to play host to the UK’s largest gathering of peatland experts at the annual IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference this week. Post-Brexit discussions will set the future for our environment and the conference provides an important reminder of the many valuable services that nature provides. Scientists, conservationists, land managers and policy-makers will come together for three days of talks, discussions and field trips to explore how our generation can be the one that creates a lasting legacy for healthy peatlands.

Cumbria BogLIFE: Restoring Peatlands - The Development of Best Practice Techniques

November 18, 2016
One requirement for LIFE nature projects is to share experience and knowledge and many include a requirement to host a mid-project event. Cumbria BogLIFE held a mid-project conference during the first week of October and based it around ‘Restoring Peatlands – The Development of Best Practice Techniques’. The main aim of the conference was clear from the very start; to demonstrate many of the practical peatland restoration techniques that had been developed over the last 30 years both in Cumbria and throughout the UK and Europe.

Forsinard Flows Field Centre is Now Open

November 18, 2016
The Flow Country is an area of deep peat and bog pools, located in the Caithness and Sutherland peatlands. The Flows to the Future Project, the Peatlands Partnership and RSPB Scotland at Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve are working together to restore and protect this important landscape. 

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…
Water vole sitting with blackberries
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…
Digger being used to carry out peat bog restoration. Photo: Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
Adoption of University of Cumbria PhD student’s carbon calculator brings national and international significanceThis week University of Cumbria and Barker and Bland Ltd.’s innovative carbon calculator has been…
Image advertising launch of the CivTech Round 10 Challenge
CiVTech innovators leading drive for advances within Peatland and Woodland Carbon CodesBringing efficiences to the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code is the focus for three…
Interior of the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion, showing the information desk with a giant dragonfly and globe suspended above it.
Embark on a voyage of discovery with the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion 2025 world tour To raise awareness of the global distribution and importance of peatlands, the Virtual Peatlands…
Image of a computer screen displaying a survey
Public Consultation for Biodiversity Quantification MethodologyThe Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code are pleased to announce their public consultation…
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…