Latest News

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

Desmids of peatlands © Emma Goodyer

Latest News

Working together for the future of Welsh peatlands

November 28, 2019
A major programme of works is underway this season to restore peatlands across Wales. A large proportion of the 90,000 hectares of peat soils found in Wales are in unfavourable condition, so the Welsh Peatlands Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS) project is working with a host of conservation organisations, landowners, schools and stakeholders to tackle these peatlands and enthuse and educate the next generation. Together we have been working on peatlands across the country to deliver positive action on the ground:

Peatlands and the climate emergency

November 25, 2019
2019 has seen all four devolved governments across the UK declare a clim

European Peatland Strategies workshop - Bonn, Germany

November 25, 2019
Over 30 representatives from across 12 European countries attended a workshop to examine existing and developing national peatland strategies. Emma Goodyer (IUCN UK Peatland Programme Manager) and Steven Grady (IUCN UK National Committee Chair and EU Policy Advisor for the JNCC) attended the workshop on 28th-29th October 2019 in Bonn, Germany to feed in experiences of developing and delivering strategic action for the UK’s peatlands.  

Langlands Moss Restoration works underway

October 17, 2019
Langlands Moss Local Nature Reserve, on the south edge of East Kilbride, Scotland is set to be transformed.

A tribute to Richard Payne

July 4, 2019
The IUCN UK Peatlands Programme team were all saddened to hear the shocking news about the death of Dr Richard Payne and our thoughts are with his family. He was killed while climbing in the remote Nanda Devi region of the Himalayas. Richard was a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Geography at the University of York and was well known to many in the peatland community for his enthusiastic approach and leading edge work. We were fortunate to have Richard’s involvement in our Commission of Inquiry on peatlands and hope this will stand as one of the many lasting legacies from Richard’s passionate contribution to peatland science. We invited Dr Roxane Andersen to give a personal tribute...

Peat restoration and natural flood management

July 1, 2019
The Upland Environments Research Unit at the University of Manchester has been working closely with Moors for the Future Partnership over the last decade to produce an empirically grounded evidence base to demonstrate the multiple benefits of blanket peat restoration.

Sphagnum is a key ingredient of natural flood management

July 1, 2019
In 2008 iCASP published research that showed how water running over Sphagnum on blanket peatlands moved much more slowly (often ten times slower) than water running through sedges or bare peat. This spawned a new body of research which has shown how revegetation of peat, particularly if we can get a dense Sphagnum cover, can slow the flow of water during storm events to reduce the flood peak downstream.

Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
Windfarm on peatland site
National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
Cross section of bare peat
New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…
Water vole sitting with blackberries
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…
Digger being used to carry out peat bog restoration. Photo: Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
Adoption of University of Cumbria PhD student’s carbon calculator brings national and international significanceThis week University of Cumbria and Barker and Bland Ltd.’s innovative carbon calculator has been…
Image advertising launch of the CivTech Round 10 Challenge
CiVTech innovators leading drive for advances within Peatland and Woodland Carbon CodesBringing efficiences to the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code is the focus for three…