Peatland ACTION - What we do
Working to improve the condition of degraded bogs across Scotland.
The true worth of our peatlands is becoming increasingly recognised. As stores of carbon they are important in tackling climate change and as the basis of rural farming, sporting, tourism and crofting they are vital to the economy. They also play a role in flood regulation, water quality and support nationally and internationally important biodiversity.
Peatland ACTION - People and peatlands
Duration
00:46
Journey into the wild and beautiful peatlands of Scotland to discover an ancient cultural landscape. A living landscape not far from your front door. Peatlands play a crucial role in all our lives by providing multiple benefits for people and nature. When healthy, they ‘lock-in’ carbon to help combat climate change, support tourism and rural jobs.
Peatlands are one of Scotland’s largest degraded ecosystems. When peatlands are degraded the benefits they bring are lost, in fact they become sources of carbon instead of sinks – contributing to climate change rather than mitigating it.
In late 2012, the Scottish Government allocated funds to an NatureScot-led peatland restoration project ‘Peatland ACTION’ to kick-start the restoration challenge.
What have we achieved?
Since 2012 Peatland ACTION, working in partnership with others, has set over 25,000 ha of degraded peatland on the road to recovery.
Building on a winning formula
Peatland ACTION Project Officers have played a pivotal role in the success of the project, many having now been in-post for several years and have developed substantial expertise in advising on peatland restoration. Feedback from grant recipients praised the independent and expert advice from Project Officers, who are based around Scotland both in NatureScot and partner organisations.
Our partners
We work in partnership with a wide range of organisations. Our project officers are hosted both within NatureScot and the following organisations.
Cairngorms National Park Authority
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority
Carloway Estate Trust
Crichton Carbon Centre
Lochaber Fisheries Trust
Scottish Water
Shetland Amenity Trust
Tweed Forum
We also work closely with others to spread our message, helping us reach our target audiences.
Butterfly Conservation – ‘Bogsquad’
Forestry and Land Scotland
Heather Trust
IUCN UK Peatlands Programmes
Scottish Land and Estates
Awards
- RSPB's Nature of Scotland Awards - Nature and Climate Action - Finalist (2020)
- The Project won the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Best Practice Large Scale Nature Conservation Award in 2016;
- RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards - Innovation Award - Winner (2015)
Social media
Follow us on Twitter @PeatlandACTION, and don't forget to tag @nature_scot and use our hashtag #PeatlandACTION especially if we've funded your peatland restoration project.
Peat hag being reprofiled. Photo credits: Lorne Gill
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