SWPP scoops international recognition for peatlands
The South West Peatland Partnership has won gold in the 2024 Global Good Awards, receiving international recognition for the important peatlands of the UK’s South West.
Held at a ceremony at the BMA House in London, the awards recognise organisations and leaders who are achieving practical, real-world impact for people and planet that is both scalable and replicable, and who have inspiring stories to tell. The ‘Wild World; Recover, regenerate, rewild’ category that the SWPP won was introduced this year, celebrating positive action environmentally in in a range of areas.
Judges cited the SWPP’s as ‘a great example of practical partnership and collaboration across sectors to address a complex problem’ and highlighted the ‘intentional inclusion of historic, social and economic benefits too’ in peatland restoration.
Morag Angus, SWPP Manager shared some of the recent achievements of the partnership:
'It’s great to have the scale and ambition of peatland restoration across the UK’s South West recognised globally. In the past year alone, we have worked with local contractors to create over 25km of peat bunds, stone barriers and log blocks across Dartmoor, Exmoor and Cornwall.
That’s over 10,000 single interventions, all helping to slow down the flow of water that rushes off dried and degrading areas of peat, reducing further erosion channels from growing larger and creating wet boggy environments for bird species like the dunlin, and insect-eating sundews to thrive.
In one gully, peak storm flow was reduced by 49%, minimising the erosive power of rainfall events, improving water quality due to less sediment runoff and creating a more gradual flow into local reservoirs.'
The SWPP is now in the practical restoration season out on the peatlands of Dartmoor, Exmoor and Cornwall, working to improve the hydrological function of these globally rare habitats.
Just under 25,000 hectares of peatland has been identified in the South West, across Dartmoor, Exmoor and Cornwall. The vast majority of the peatlands are the globally rare and internationally important blanket bog. But most, nearly all, have been drained or are eroding, losing their vital ability to store carbon, support wildlife, slow down water and preserve archaeology.
Morag also highlighted the social and economic value of this practical peatland restoration for Devon and Cornwall:
“The South West Peatland Partnership is also setting up a strong local supply chain and the future of peatland-related job roles in the region.
SWPP have recruited, trained or involved over 60 roles underpinned by peatland restoration. This ranges from bringing staff into the team to upskilling and equipping local agricultural contractors to take on high-quality peatland restoration and other landscape-scale environmental approaches that make a lasting difference.
It is everyone we work with, whether landowners, Commoners, staff in statutory organisations, artists or volunteers who really enable peatland restoration happen and ensure people are engaged with our day to day on the moors.
We can’t stop now, we have to keep the momentum going so that we can restore more areas of peatland in the South West and we can all make a difference.’
A spokesperson for Natural England said: “We are excited to congratulate the South West Peatland Partnership on their remarkable achievement at the Global Good Awards in the Wild World: Recover, Regenerate, Rewild category. Restoring peatlands is crucial, as those in poor condition release carbon instead of storing it, making this work essential for building resilience to climate change. As proud supporters and funders of the Partnership, we celebrate this award as a testament to their innovative efforts in restoring and protecting our vital peatlands and exemplifying environmental stewardship”.
Carolyn Cadman, Director of Natural Resources at South West Water, said: “We’re delighted that the SWPP has received this prestigious award and for our work to be recognised on a global stage. SWPP has done fantastic work to protect and restore peatlands right across the South West, helping to leave a lasting positive impact on the environment, wildlife and water quality.”
Mary-Rose Lane of the Environment Agency commented: “I am incredibly proud that the Environment Agency has been a part of this partnership since its inception 25 years ago, seeing it grow from a tiny project to now delivering a globally recognised standard of peatland restoration in SW England. The SWPP team are so skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable. Together the partnership now helps our upland peatlands to be more resilient to climate change, restoring the water supply and quality into the headwaters of our rivers and helping the regeneration of the wildlife that is so dependent on these extraordinary upland environments.”
Tom Stratton, Land Steward for the Duchy of Cornwall in Devon said “The Duchy is delighted that this progressive partnership project has been recognised and likewise, the importance of restoring the precious habitat that is peatland.”
Paul Hawkins, Assistant Director, Consultancy – Land and Nature at the National Trust shared: “We are proud to be an active member of this dynamic local partnership, delivering peatland restoration across National Trust sites on Exmoor and Dartmoor. This is a vital part of our work to restore habitats, improve water quality & reduce flooding, preserve archaeology, and reduce the impact of climate change - the biggest risks to the future of the places in our care.”