The PEAT+ Project is led by nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife and is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Delivery partners in the project include Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon District Council; Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal; Crichton Carbon Centre; Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark; Fermanagh & Omagh District Council: Newry, Mourne & Down District Council; Mourne Heritage Trust; and RTÉ; along with associate partners NI Water and National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The project will deliver large-scale peatland restoration across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland on 19 priority sites over the next three years, and will include innovation and research, along with promoting the heritage of our peatlands.
Despite huge progress in delivering restoration works on peatlands across Ireland in recent years, it is estimated that 80% of Irish peatland is still in a degraded state and a source of carbon emissions.
Restoring these landscapes is therefore critical for tackling climate change, along with restoring nature, improving water quality and reducing flood risk.
The PEAT+ Project will also help recover threatened species closely associated with peatland habitats, including golden plover and the large heath butterfly.
The event brought together Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir, SEUPB CEO Gina McIntyre, Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Jessica Johnston, and PEAT+ project partners to mark the official launch of this important, multi-site peatland restoration programme. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan also provided a video message for the launch event.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA said: “The PEAT+ programme provides a unique opportunity for collaboration between landowners, project partners, and statutory agencies across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This partnership approach will not only enable effective delivery of peatland restoration but also foster lasting legacy relationships to support future initiatives.
“My Department is delighted to support this initiative, recognising that peatland restoration will deliver on multiple strategic objectives - enhancing biodiversity, improving climate resilience, and increasing carbon storage - while also creating opportunities for local communities through job creation and sustainable economic growth.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said:
“I welcome the ambition of this impressive project to restore and safeguard some of our most valuable habitats – our peatlands. With the National Parks & Wildlife Service of my Department as an associate partner, this project will have a lasting impact on Special Areas of Conservation across border counties and in Glenveagh National Park. Initiatives such as the PEAT+ Project create opportunities for us to share knowledge and skills and join forces across the island of Ireland to restore these habitats for nature and to enhance our environment and wellbeing. I would like to congratulate Ulster Wildlife and all of the partners involved and wish them well with their efforts.”
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD said: “Peatlands are uniquely valuable habitats – not only for their wildlife and environmental benefits, but also in terms of their role in our culture and heritage across this island. We have a shared ambition to restore these amazing places and protect their biodiversity for the future, with approaches that are backed by scientific evidence and delivered in collaboration with communities, landowners and state bodies.
“Ireland’s National Parks & Wildlife Service has significant expertise in this area. Recent programmes to restore blanket bogs and raised bogs are beginning to show positive trends, and I am delighted that we are in a position to bring this experience to bear to support the PEAT + Project. We have much to share with and learn from each other, and I look forward to following the progress as we work together to help our peatlands thrive again.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “PEAT+ will make a direct contribution to the objectives of PEACEPLUS. By restoring habitats and species within protected sites, the project will help create more resilient ecosystems. Our natural environment is one of our most valuable assets and its protection is essential for the long-term well-being of all our communities across the region.
“PEAT+ aims to protect habitats and species of international significance, while also addressing carbon storage and water regulation. This partnership brings together scientific knowledge, land management experience and community engagement skills. It is a partnership that reflects the cross-border nature of the challenge and the shared responsibility to address it.”
Ulster Wildlife’s CEO Dawn Miskelly said: “We’re very proud to be leading this really significant project that will make a lasting difference for nature, people and climate. Our peatlands are real powerhouses of habitats that provide multiple benefits for wildlife, for communities and for the economy.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with our project partners, landowners and communities, along with our funding partner SEUPB through the PEACEPLUS Programme to deliver meaningful change - because investing in our natural environment, is investing in all our shared futures.”
