Partners Launch Major Peatland Restoration Initiative
The new PEAT+ project aims to restore over 12,000 hectares of degraded peatland across Northern Ireland and border counties.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Environmental
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Ulster Wildlife has launched the €19.2 million PEAT+ project to revitalize 22 priority peatland sites. This initiative seeks to improve 12,415 hectares of land while supporting regional biodiversity and climate goals.
Why it matters
Restoring peatlands is a critical strategy to combat climate change, enhance water quality, reduce flood risks, and protect local biodiversity. Approximately 80% of peatland across Ireland currently exists in a degraded condition.
The project targets 12,415 hectares of land across 22 sites, including six within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough. Supported by the PEACEPLUS programme, the initiative also funds 40 green jobs and provides accredited LANTRA training.
The players
Ulster Wildlife
This is a leading nature conservation charity in Northern Ireland that works to protect local wildlife and habitats.
John O'Dowd
He serves as the Minister for Infrastructure in the Northern Ireland Executive.
Special EU Programmes Body
This cross-border organization is responsible for managing and implementing EU-funded regional development programs.
The details
Led by Ulster Wildlife and the Special EU Programmes Body, the project delivers large-scale restoration work alongside new research and innovation efforts. Finance Minister John O'Dowd marked the start of the program during a visit to Peatlands Park to highlight the commitment to these environmental improvements.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: Minister John O'Dowd visited Peatlands Park to launch the project.
Next three years: The project will conduct restoration work across 22 priority sites.
The Big Picture
The PEAT+ initiative operates under the framework of the PEACEPLUS programme, extending its mission to foster regional stability through environmental sustainability. By targeting 12,415 hectares of peatland, the project marks a significant shift toward large-scale, cross-border ecological restoration.
Residents and stakeholders in the region may see reduced flood risks and improved water quality as restoration efforts advance over the next three years. Additionally, the creation of 40 green jobs and the introduction of accredited training courses provide new career opportunities within the restoration sector.
The takeaway
Large-scale peatland restoration serves as a powerful natural solution for climate change mitigation and flood prevention. Implementing such strategies requires long-term regional cooperation and a commitment to specialized workforce training.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing efforts to protect ecosystems in our Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NorthernIrelandWorld.
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