The news of major fire incidents in the uplands of north of England during this year’s summer heatwave is deeply concerning both in terms of the impact on people and the environment. While the specific circumstances around the various fires are still being investigated, discussion has turned to the issue of peatlands and the role of managed burns.

The Peatlands Partnership has just appointed Joe Perry as their World Heritage Site Officer to take forward the idea of The Flow Country in Sutherland and Caithness becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). 

Peatlands are vital to UK water security and must be protected to preserve the UK’s water supply, warn scientists. water@leeds scientists from the University of Leeds have developed a new global index that identifies water supplied from peatlands as a significant source of drinking water for the UK and the Republic of Ireland .

•    £10 million of government grants awarded for work on peatlands •    Area the size of 10,000 football pitches to be restored to peat forming condition •    Restored peatlands will continue to store carbon, improve water quality in rivers and reduce flood risk