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Migneint panorama (C) Alun Williams

Peatlands Under Pressure

IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference 2026

9th - 11th June 2026, Swansea, Wales 

Our annual conference series provides a valuable convening function for the 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 important habitats, from land managers, policy makers and businesses to restoration practitioners, creatives and scientists from the UK and beyond.

The theme of our 2026 conference is ‘Peatlands Under Pressure’ and we’ll be exploring the challenges peatlands face from development, intensive land management and a changing climate, as well as the opportunities presented by scaling up nature-based solutions to environmental pressures. 

The conference takes us to Swansea University’s Bay Campus in South Wales, a beautiful location with its own beach, seafront promenade and on-site accommodation, and the perfect base from which to explore the peatlands of south Wales. Over three days, there will be plenary sessions, workshops, topic deep dives and field visits bringing together research, policy and practice. Alongside this diverse programme, there will be additional opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, with dedicated poster sessions and networking events, and an exhibition area throughout the event. 

What to expect

  • ~300 delegates at this year’s event. Delegates will be able to join the entire event or individual days.
  • Exhibition and networking opportunities at our evening poster session and meal on 9th June, our evening conference dinner on 10th June, and throughout the event.
  • Visits to locally important peatland sites on 10th June, including options from a range of peatland habitats, and experience of different management and restoration techniques first-hand in a beautiful landscape.
  • Deep-dives into a range of themed topics at our workshop and knowledge-sharing sessions on 11th June.

Programme outline

Tuesday 9th June

  • Plenary sessions sharing the work of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, progress towards national peatland strategy in Wales and the challenges peatlands face from development and land management pressures.
  • Evening meal and poster session featuring contributions from across the peatland community, alongside our dedicated exhibition space for partners and sponsors.

Wednesday 10th June

  • Choose 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. Lunch and transport will be provided from the main conference venue and delegates will be required to select field trips in advance on a first come, first served basis. Field trip bookings will be released in the spring.
  • Conference dinner, networking and evening entertainment.

Thursday 11th June

  • Morning and afternoon topic deep dives across a range of themes. Delegates will be required to select workshops in advance on a first come, first served basis and workshop bookings will be released in the spring.
  • Plenary session reflecting on findings from the conference and the future for peatlands.

Booking

Tickets will be released in February and announced on our website and LinkedIn channel. Field visits and workshops must be booked in advance of the conference on a first come, first served basis. Once you have purchased your ticket, you will be informed by email as soon as the full programme of field visits and workshops is available and open for bookings.

Sponsorship and exhibition space

The Peatland Programme is a non-profit organisation and our conferences are only possible thanks to the support of our dedicated partners, supporters and sponsors. We are currently seeking sponsors to showcase their work by supporting the conference financially. This year’s venue features dedicated exhibition space available across the three days, and we’re also offering the opportunity to sponsor various aspects of the event, including supporting those on low incomes to attend. If you are interested in supporting us and/or exhibiting this year, please contact info@iucn.org.uk. 

Further information

Further announcements will be available on the conference pages of our website, on our LinkedIn channel, and in our quarterly newsletters. If you have any questions about our conference, or are interested in contributing to and/or sponsoring the event, please contact info@iucn.org.uk.