South West Peatland Partnership has recently been awarded a gold award in the Wild World: Recover, regenerate, rewild at the Global Good Awards. The SWPP is a collaboration between local and regional government agencies, non-governmental organisations, businesses, landowners, commoners and farmers. They’re working together across the UK’s South West to reduce further degradation to peatlands by raising the water table and restoring the hydrological function of these areas. The DPA is proud to be one of these partners, supporting the SWPP through funding, information sharing and constructive feedback. Other partners include the Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, the Dartmoor Society, Natural England, South West Water and the National Trust.
The SWPP see restoring peatlands as key in tackling the climate and ecological crisis. Globally, peatlands store more carbon than all of the world’s forests combined. However, once they are disturbed and dry out, this valuable store begins to release carbon and other warming greenhouse gases. At least 75% of peat in the UK is damaged and releasing emissions. That’s why the SWPP is one of several peatland partnerships across the UK working to find the best ways to restore peatlands, keep carbon stored, support people, benefit wildlife and champion these vital ecosystems.
Thursday 3rd October saw the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Global Good Awards, at a ceremony held 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.
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.
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. The peatlands of Exmoor, Dartmoor and Cornwall lie at the edge of the range of suitable temperature and rainfall conditions for peat to form. As such they are a valuable indicator of what may happen to other peatlands in the UK and elsewhere as the climate warms and rainfall patterns change. With only 1% Dartmoor’s blanket bogs healthy and functioning in 2020, and the region already seeing increasing extreme weather events, there is an urgency for effective, holistic and innovate peatland restoration.
The DPA are delighted that the important work of the SWPP has been publicly recognised by this award and will continue to support the work of the partnership going forward. Our vision is achieving a tangible increase in the health of Dartmoor’s peatlands, with markers of this recovery being visible from 2025.