The national voice for peatlands remains strong after receiving a £500,000 boost, thanks to the generous support of The Peter De Haan Charitable Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and John Ellerman Foundation. These three charitable trusts have funded a five year extension to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, which speaks up for peatland conservation in the UK.
The huge importance of peatlands for wildlife, climate change, drinking water supply and flood management has not always been widely appreciated. As a result, over 80% of our peatlands are in a degraded or deteriorating state causing costly problems for land managers and society as a whole. Projects up and down the length of the UK are putting in place remedial action to make our peatlands healthy again, with funding through the public and private purses.
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme is a partnership of Government organisations, environmental charities and scientific institutions, which works to bring science, practice and policy together. By facilitating discussion, the IUCN UK Peatland Programme helps this diverse range of organisations collaborate to achieve the best outcome for peatlands, and as a result us – work on the ground supported by strong science.
With rising temperatures a real threat, never before has there been a better time to speak out for the role peatlands play for every one of us. If we don’t take urgent action to make our peatlands wildlife-rich places, naturally storing carbon and providing clean drinking water then the costs to society will be huge. At a time of great political and environmental change, we need to keep a strong focus on securing our peatlands for future generations. With its new funding in place the IUCN UK Peatland Programme can help build a lasting legacy where peatlands are looked after and recognised for the benefits they provide.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation:
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK both now and in the future. We do this by funding the charitable work of organisations who are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society.
The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK. In 2016 we made grants of £42.4 million towards a wide range of work within the arts, children and young people, the environment, food and social change. We also have a £45 million allocation to social investments for organisations with the aim of creating social impact.
John Ellerman Foundation:
John Ellerman Foundation aims to advance the wellbeing of people, society and the natural world. We support organisations working in Arts, Environment and Welfare. In order for our funds to have as wide an impact as possible, we like to support organisations whose work has reach and significance across the UK.
The Foundation makes grants of £5.5 million a year with about one quarter of this amount benefiting environmental organisations and projects, such as the Peatland Programme.
Peter De Haan Charitable Trust:
The Peter De Haan Charitable Trust aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK through its work with arts, environmental and social welfare organisations.
Since 1999, the Trust has donated more than £20 million to organisations working in these areas.
