The Peatland Programme has been announced as one of 23 finalists out of 90 applications received from across the EU. The award aims to bring the success of the Natura 2000 network to the public’s attention and to demonstrate the network’s importance for protecting biodiversity across Europe.
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme was entered under the category Cross-border Cooperation and Networking.
The Programme is a partnership involving land managers, scientists, NGOs and public bodies in the UK’s largest coordinated effort to conserve and restore peatlands. Over the last five years this initiative has compiled the best research evidence on the importance of peatland, enabling strong government policy and extra funding for peatland conservation. The Programme has benefited from the expertise and practical knowledge of EU funded projects on Natura 2000 peatland sites. The skills and knowledge developed in these important peatlands have provided some of the best examples of peatland restoration and demonstration of the benefits of working with local communities as well as providing cutting edge science that has enabled the Programme to share good practice across the UK and internationally.
The finalists will now be judged by a high level Jury with the winners to be announced on 21st May 2015, Natura 2000 Day. This year for the fitrst time the public will also have a say by voting online for their favourite candidate. The public vote, open until 6 May, will determine the winner of the European Citizen’s Award.
Cast your vote here
