Peatland owners offered funding to prepare for restoration - Natural Resources Wales

As Wales’ peatland restoration activity accelerates, a new round of Development Grants offering people between £10,000 - £30,000 to fund ‘shovel-ready’ restoration projects is set to open on 13 October.

Peatland is the most valuable land resource in Wales for carbon, given its potential to store 30% of soil-based carbon. Yet, as the estimated 90% of Welsh peatlands in a damaged condition emit greenhouse gases, restoration is vital to address both the nature and climate emergencies.

The Development Grant funds the preparations needed to deliver peatland restoration. The applications will detail site-specific measures identified to prepare an actionable restoration plan; these could include peat, hydrology and habitat surveys, consents and community consultation, and other preparations.

Significant planning and preparation are required to restore peatland habitats. The supply of shovel-ready projects is essential to enable sustained peatland restoration for the long term. This Grant is a critical component in the effort to increase Wales’ capacity to restore peatlands at the scale and pace necessary to deliver against its decarbonisation, adaptation and biodiversity commitments.

Mannon Lewis who leads on the National Peatland Action Programme explained: “This start-up Development Grant aims to encourage landowners to understand their peatland and develop a plan so that they’re shovel-ready for restoration. Successful applicants will show how the funding will develop an actionable peatland restoration plan. Once the restoration plan is in place, options to progress to restoration action include our follow-on competitive Delivery Grant (£50K-£250K).”