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

Restoration update from Scottish Power Renewables

July 14, 2016
Scottish Power Renewables has been trialling various methods of peatland restoration on their windfarm sites. Here they update us on two techniques showing some success.

Peatland Restoration in the Shetlands

July 14, 2016
Where is the link between aquaculture and blanket bog in Shetland? Well, about half of Shetland is covered in peat (although Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has estimated that 70% of Shetland’s blanket bog is damaged). Meanwhile, the fishing industry is Shetland’s biggest sector with about 25,000 tonnes of farmed salmon produced each year.

Life-sustaining habitat in Yorkshire Dales given a boost

June 13, 2016
Vast swathes of life-sustaining habitat in the Yorkshire Dales has been restored thanks to the efforts of Yorkshire Peat Partnership. The programme, led by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, has been busy working with landowners in the Dales to restore damaged peatlands, which have been emitting carbon into the atmosphere contributing to climate change and turning water in the streams and rivers brown – no good for drinking or aquatic wildlife to live in.

Plight of peatlands highlighted by Government report into soil health

June 7, 2016
Despite the life-sustaining role of soil, and in particular peat soil, a new report has emphasised its rapid decline and the need for urgent action.

Latest newsletter: Exmoor Mires Partnership

June 7, 2016
The latest newsletter from the Exmoor Mires Partnership is now available to download from below. To join their mailing list email exmoormires@btconnect.com. 

The East Africa Sisal Company Ltd.

June 6, 2016
Sisal is a highly sustainable fibre crop grown in the tropics. With the ability to survive sustained periods of drought and be harvested at any time of the year, sisal provides a sustainable source of income to small-scale farmers and helps them to cope with the effects of climate change. Historically, sisal was manufactured and used for making ropes and sacks. However, the development of cheaper polypropylene meant that the 1960s proved to be a turning point for sisal production, with East African production now at 10% of its former peak.

Minister officially launches €16 million moorland project

May 25, 2016
A €16 million project that will help protect and transform moorlands across the South Pennines and the Peak District National Park has been officially launched. Environment Minister Rory Stewart was joined by Acting Chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd, Natural England Chairman 

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…