Peat+ is a project led by local nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife and is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Project delivery partners include Mourne Heritage Trust, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon District Council, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Crichton Carbon Centre, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, with associate partners NI Water and NPWS. RTÉ is also anticipated to partner on the project.
Over the next three years, the project will restore peatlands at 19 priority sites across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. It combines large-scale restoration with research, innovation and the promotion of our peatland heritage. In total, more than 12,000 hectares will be enhanced — an area equal to around 16,000 football pitches.
This vital work will:
- Help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere (peat stores vast amounts of carbon but when peatlands are damaged, they release this carbon that has been stored for centuries)
- Help recover biodiversity, including rare and threatened species such as golden plover and large heath butterfly
- Preserve archaeological and historic features within peatlands
- Help to improve water quality, reduce wildfire risks, and contribute to flood alleviation
