Culture and human history
Peatlands across the world show evidence of being shaped and modified by past human activities, from the influence of prehistoric humans to recent drainage and extraction activities.
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Wellbeing and rural economies
Peatlands are deeply embedded in human culture and the incredible preservation properties of peat provide a unique archaeological archive which details our relationship with peatlands over millennia. Despite negative connotations in popular culture and some of the language associated with peatlands, they have also provided food, fuel and homes for many people, and still do.
Palaeoecology
Palaeoecology is the study of past ecosystems and their changes through time. Past environments, population dynamics and communities of organisms can be reconstructed based on fossil evidence preserved in the landscape.
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connections
The Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to work in partnership with peatland restoration and cultural organisations across the South-West…
New species showcase - cottongrass
Our May species showcase looks at the role that cottongrass plays in peatlands, its cultural and historical importance and how people are working to reintroduce it to areas where it has become…
The vulnerability of archaeological remains in peatlands
The abundance of organic archaeological artefacts and paleoenvironmental evidence found in waterlogged environments exists largely because the lack of oxygen (caused by waterlogging) severely…
Black poplar
The black poplar is a large tree of floodplains, flooded gravel pits and ditches, particularly in England. Despite being an important part of our culture for centuries, it has declined massively…
Conference 2025
The 2025 conference explored the deep cultural associations and sense of identity connected to peatlands in Northern Ireland, and policy drivers reflecting changing attitudes to peatland management. It also examined the importance of water in these landscapes and the role of peatlands at catchment scale as a nature-based solution.
Celebrating International Bog Day with more ‘Eyes on the Bog’ than ever
Peatlands are among the UK’s most valuable natural habitats—storing carbon, filtering drinking water, supporting rare wildlife, and offering a window into the past through their rich biological…
My show and tell
In his few years of angling and rock pooling, Archie's made good friends with fish, crabs, limpets and anemones. And he's finding new mates all the time.
Chimney sweeper
This sooty-black, day-flying moth is active on sunny days, rarely settling in one place for long.
My retirement
Malcolm loves volunteering every week at Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve where he indulges in his passion for wildlife, keeps active and meets with friends.