Coordinated by the National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP), the annual event is a collaborative learning experience through the Wales Peatland Action partners.

The first day was an opportunity to see two different forest-to-bog sites. Eryri National Park’s Trawscoed site visit, led by Dr Rachel Harvey, provided ample discussion on forest-to-bog restoration, hydrology, contractor management, and restoration planning. This was followed by NPAP’s Hafod Elwy site at Alwen Forest, led by Jack Simpson, with afforested peatland restoration, monitoring, protected species, and long-term management all considered.

The evening, at the comfortable Rhyd y Creuau Field Studies Centre, included a highly praised presentation from a land manager’s perspective. Meilyr Jones expertly conveyed his experiences in managing grazing on the Migneint pre- and post-restoration. Other contributions were by James Cooke, Welsh Government, and Dr Rhoswen Leonard, NPAP and Natural Resources Wales.

The second day was an opportunity to see restoration on the Migneint, led by Amlyn Parry and Gwyndaf Roberts from the National Trust and Danni Klein from the RSPB. Besides witnessing a fine example of partnership working, delegates considered landscape-scale restoration including erosion management, as well as monitoring and species. Finally, at the scallop bunds of Llyn Du, Cwmystradllyn, shown by Rachel on behalf of ENP, the delegates reviewed Molinia management, restoration in grazed landscapes, and hydrological restoration. 

With Wales’ diversity of peatland, and potentially over 100 restoration activities, there is always so much to discuss and learn from each other at these Practitioners events!

For more updates, follow @PeatlandCymru or send enquiries to npap@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.