South West Water has marked World Peatlands Day by highlighting the progress of the South West Peatland Partnership, which has restored 5,000 hectares of peatland across the South West of England.
The South West peatland restoration programme covers Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin Moor and West Penwith, where restoration teams are working to repair damaged peatland ecosystems and improve their ability to store carbon, manage water and support wildlife.
Peatlands are among the world’s most important carbon stores, but degraded peat can release carbon and other greenhouse gases when it dries out. In the UK, around 80% of peatland is damaged, increasing the need for long-term restoration and sustainable land management.
South West peatland restoration reaches 5,000 hectares
The South West Peatland Partnership has now restored 5,000 hectares of peatland that would otherwise have continued degrading.
The partnership works with landowners, farmers, conservation organisations, local authorities and water sector partners to restore damaged peatland across the region.
Restoration activity includes rewetting peat, slowing water flows, reducing erosion and creating conditions that allow peat-forming mosses and wetland species to recover.
According to the partnership, restored peatlands can support wildlife, preserve archaeological heritage, improve water quality and help landscapes become more resilient to climate change.
Peatlands support natural water management and flood resilience
Healthy peatlands play an important role in natural water management by slowing the movement of rainwater through upland landscapes.
By holding water within the landscape, functioning peatlands can help regulate flows into rivers and streams, support cleaner water and reduce downstream flood risk.
South West Water volunteers have supported restoration work on Dartmoor, including the creation of wooden blocks and carefully planned tree planting in selected areas.
These works are designed to trap sediment, slow water flow, diversify habitats and reduce further erosion of carbon-rich peat.
Tree species planted in approved locations include grey willow, oak, hawthorn, alder and rowan, helping stabilise water levels while creating habitat for birds and insects.
Peatland recovery supports carbon storage and biodiversity
Peatland restoration is a long-term process, with peat forming at approximately 1mm per year.
However, newly rewetted sites can show early signs of recovery, including increased insect activity, the return of wading birds and improved conditions for peat-forming vegetation.
Restoring peatlands also supports wider environmental resilience by protecting thousands of years of history preserved in peat while maintaining one of the world’s largest land-based carbon stores.
Morag Angus, South West Peatland Partnership Manager, said: “World Peatland Day is an important part of raising awareness about peatlands and works to restore them, especially with the increasingly crucial role they could play in mitigating the climate crisis.”
Carolyn Cadman, South West Water’s Chief Sustainability and Natural Resources Officer, said: “Peatlands are pivotal to the wider ecosystem due to their ability to store carbon and slow the flow of rainwater, improving water quality and wildlife. The work that the South West Peatland Partnership do to help restore peatland is necessary and inspiring, and South West Water is proud to continue to support SWPP as their lead partner organisation.”
Public engagement brings peatland conservation to wider audiences
As part of wider awareness activity, travellers passing through St Pancras International can see an adapted version of garden designer Martha Krempel’s The Composer’s Cabin, an immersive feature garden first shown at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.
The installation uses music, storytelling and peatland-inspired planting to raise awareness of peatland conservation and peat-free sustainable gardening.
It also includes a peat core provided by the South West Peatland Partnership, giving visitors a visual understanding of the layers of history stored within peatland environments.
The partnership has also supported The Living Layer, an 11-minute film produced by Cornwall-based Here Now Films to celebrate peatlands and the teams working to restore them.
The film was named Overall Winner at the 2026 Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival.
Read more nature-based water and climate resilience news in the H2O Global News Climate Change and Freshwater sections.
FAQs
What is peatland restoration?
Peatland restoration involves repairing damaged peat habitats, usually by rewetting them and restoring natural water levels so they can store carbon, support wildlife and regulate water flow.
Why are peatlands important for water management?
Healthy peatlands hold water in the landscape, slow runoff, improve water quality and help reduce downstream flood risk by regulating how rainwater moves through catchments.
How much peatland has the South West Peatland Partnership restored?
The South West Peatland Partnership has restored approximately 5,000 hectares of peatland across Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin Moor and West Penwith.
Why do damaged peatlands release carbon?
When peatlands are drained or degraded, peat is exposed to air and begins to break down, releasing stored carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
How long does peat take to form?
Peat forms very slowly, at approximately 1mm per year, which is why protecting and restoring existing peatlands is important for long-term carbon storage and ecosystem resilience.
