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. 

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 As part of the Paludiculture Exploration Fund, The National Institute of Agricultural Botany is…
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…
Water vole sitting with blackberries
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…