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

New landscape scale ‘Sustainable Management Scheme’ opens in Wales

March 8, 2016
On the 29th February an Expressions of Interest (EOI) window opened for the Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS); a brand new scheme funded through the Welsh Governments Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The aim of the scheme is to support collaborative landscape-scale projects delivering action to improve our natural resources in a way which delivers benefits to farm and rural businesses and rural communities.

Cumbria BogLIFE share inventive restoration techniques

March 4, 2016
Within the last month, 57 professionals with an interest in peatland restoration have taken part in a series of workshops on lowland raised bog peatland restoration techniques organised by the Cumbria BogLIFE project.* The workshops focussed on site visits to two degraded but contrasting bogs – Roudsea Wood & Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the south of the county and Bolton Fell Moss SAC in the north east.

Sphagnum restoration trials in the pipeline….

March 3, 2016
The Yorkshire Peat Partnership (YPP) is undertaking Sphagnum spreading trials in Nidderdale. The aim of the trials is to establish the most effective method to promote the growth of vital peat forming Sphagnum moss.

Raising The Standard

February 29, 2016
Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk covers a distance of 190 miles from St. Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire. The route is one of the most popular long-distance walks in the country and is packed with stunning scenery as it crosses the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and three National Parks.  

ScottishPower Renewables trial new ‘wave damming’ method: site visit

February 24, 2016
As a follow up to January's IUCN newsletter article, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Peatland ACTION and IUCN UK PP staff visited Black Law wind farm to see ScottishPower Renewables’ new ditch blocking trial.

How do you use the Marches Mosses?

February 24, 2016
Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Moss and Wem Moss (The Marches Mosses) complex is the third largest lowland raised peatbog in the UK and has been the subject of over 20 years restoration by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.

Revitalising natural landscapes can reduce flood risk says the new Chief Executive of the Environment Agency

February 18, 2016
Sir James Bevan is today visiting uplands in the Peak District National Park to see firsthand how the Environment Agency’s investment is supporting the Moors for the Future Partnership in reversing the effects of hundreds of years of industrial pollution and helping to reduce flood risk.

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…
Interior of the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion, showing the information desk with a giant dragonfly and globe suspended above it.
Embark on a voyage of discovery with the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion 2025 world tour To raise awareness of the global distribution and importance of peatlands, the Virtual Peatlands…
Image of a computer screen displaying a survey
Public Consultation for Biodiversity Quantification MethodologyThe Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code are pleased to announce their public consultation…
Image of machinery being used on a peatland to restore the habitat
Natural Resources Wales announces new funding for peatland restorationA new restoration fund, managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), was launched this week in an…
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme team at the base of Kinder Scout
Reflecting on 2024: a busy year for peatlandsAs the year draws to a close, the IUCN UK Peatland Programme looks back on 2024.