Water Connections: from Source to Sea
IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference 2025
30th September – 2nd October, Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Our annual conference series provides a valuable convening function for the UK peatland community to share knowledge, enthusiasm and experience and seek solutions to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. We bring together everyone with an interest in these unique and precious habitats, from land managers, policy makers and businesses to restoration practitioners, creatives and scientists.
Our 2025 conference was delivered as part of Northern Ireland Environment Link annual Environment Week. 2025 was an exciting year for peatlands in Northern Ireland, with the publication of their national Peatland Strategy, the first Peatland Code projects registered, and restoration starting to upscale.
The conference took us to the Ebrington Hotel in the old walled city of Derry~Londonderry in Northern Ireland. In our venue on the banks of the River Foyle and in visits to diverse peatlands across the region, we explored the deep cultural associations and sense of identity connected to peatlands in Northern Ireland, and policy drivers reflecting changing attitudes to peatland management. We also examined the importance of water in these landscapes and the role of peatlands at catchment scale as a nature-based solution.
Beaghmore Stone Circles aerial view. Credit: Ulster Wildlife.
Programme
Tuesday 30th September
- Plenary sessions introducing the work of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, Northern Ireland’s progress towards a national Peatland Strategy and the cultural history of Northern Ireland’s peatlands. We also featured a water research panel discussion and showcased peatlands from around the world in our Virtual Peatlands Pavilion.
Wednesday 1st October
- Delegates chose from a variety of field trip options to local peatland sites, featuring different peatland habitats, management and restoration techniques and introducing a range of organisations involved in peatland management.
Thursday 2nd October
- Opening plenary sharing successes and challenges for the latest generation of peatland restoration practitioners.
- Morning and afternoon workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions from a range of themes.
- Plenary session reflecting on findings from the conference with representatives from across the UK.
Poster sessions
Thanks to all our partners, supporters and sponsors helping us deliver the conference - we couldn't do it without you!