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A group of conference delegates browsing posters in an exhibition space.

Conference poster session. Image credit: Drew Buckley

Conference 2026: Day 1 Programme (9th June)

Swansea University Bay Campus, Wales

Day 1 of #PeatConf26 features a diverse programme of plenaries, posters, exhibitions and networking, as well as the return of our Peatland Cinema.

Sessions take place in the Great Hall at Swansea University Bay Campus, with stunning views of Swansea Bay from the exhibitor galleries and the beach a stone's throw away. 

Online tickets are also available for Day 1 plenaries and the Peatland Cinema. 

The deadline for in-person tickets is midday 25th May. The deadline for online tickets is midday 3rd June.

Aerial view of a group of buildings between the sea and a road.

Swansea University Bay Campus. Credit: Swansea University.

Large stone building with three floors and arched windows.

The Great Hall at Swansea University Bay Campus, the venue for our 2026 conference.

Person serving drinks on a tray to two people on a balcony overlooking a beach

The outside bar at The Great Hall.

Two people in gym clothes jogging along a sandy path amongst sand dunes.

Jogging on the beach at Swansea University Bay Campus.

8.30 – 10am             Exhibitor set up 

9 – 10.30am             Delegate registration & poster set up 

10.15am                     Refreshments & Day 1 speaker briefs 

Please ensure you’re seated by 10.55am

11am – 12pm           

Conference Welcome and Introduction

IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcome

Keynote address

LIFEQuake

UK Climate Change Committee Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment

Work towards a UK Peatland Indicator Framework by Joint Nature Conservation Committee 

12 – 1pm                    Lunch

Please ensure you’re seated by 12.55pm

1 – 2.30pm                

The Sustainable Growth Paradox: Can We Resolve the Conflicts Between Development and Peatlands?

This plenary will examine the growing tension between development ambitions (including energy, infrastructure and land use change) and peatland protection across the UK. As new planning frameworks, land-use strategies and national policy statements emerge, decisions about development on peatlands are becoming increasingly complex and contested.

The session will bring together perspectives from policy, planning, development, regulation and academia to explore whether current systems can reconcile climate, biodiversity and societal objectives - or whether change is needed.

Chaired by Rob Stoneman, Director of Landscape Recovery at Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and IUCN UK Peatland Programme Co-Chair 

2.30pm                       Refreshments

Please ensure you’re seated by 12.55pm

3 – 4.30pm                

Peatland Cinema 

Our Peatland Cinema features an eclectic mix of thought-provoking and inspiring short films from restoration partnerships, artists and communications experts from across the UK. Join us on a journey of sound and vision exploring Welsh language, musical interpretation of peatlands, young voices and serious messages introduced by the filmmakers. 

Programme

The Boggy Gassy Ensemble (Part Two), introduced by artist Miranda Whall

The Living Layer, introduced by Justine Read, Communications Officer, South West Peatland Partnership

Am I Peat-compatible? Introduced by artist Manon Awst

Wildfire Comms: An experiment to reach young audiences, introduced by Emma Shaw, Programme Manager – Communications, Moors for the Future Partnership

Peat-Fest South West Manifesto, introduced by Naomi Wright, Art and Energy Collective and Rachael Milliner, RE-PEAT

4.30 – 5.30pm          Break

5.30pm                       Drinks Reception, Poster and Exhibition Session

Visit our exhibition stands and poster display to learn more about the research, restoration and engagement taking place across the peatland community. 

7.30pm                       Buffet Dinner