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RSPB NI receives DAERA Peatland Challenge funding to restore Upland Bog in Northern Ireland
RSPB NI is thrilled to announce a major new peatland restoration initiative in Northern Ireland.
Published: 24 July 2025
RSPB NI is thrilled to announce a major new peatland restoration initiative in Northern Ireland, thanks to significant investment through the NIEA’s Peatland Challenge Fund competition, part of the Shared Island Initiative Peatland Programme (SIIPP). The project will be delivered through a partnership between RSPB NI, Northern Ireland Water (NI Water), and the Lough Neagh Partnership (LNP).
Peatlands are a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s ecosystem, covering 12% of land here, and providing critical services for people, species and the climate. These unique environments function as natural water reservoirs, effectively mitigating flood risks. Beyond this, they also act as natural filters, enhancing water quality by removing pollutants.
The new initiative is led by RSPB NI’s Peatland Programme Manager, Martin Clift, and Micheál Scullion, who have recruited additional conservation officers to support with the ongoing Peatland conservation across Northern Ireland.
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Martin Clift, RSPB NI’s Peatland Programme Manager
Investing in peatland restoration is paramount to preserving this invaluable resource and ensuring a healthier future for Northern Ireland. The aim of this ambitious project is to significantly increase the delivery of peatland recovery efforts, building on work that has already taken place on the Garron Plateau over the last 15 years on the Garron Plateau, as well as expanding into the Sperrin Mountains.”
Roy Taylor, NI Water
By working collaboratively with RSPB NI, NI Water have been able to restore 28 Ha of valuable peatland in Lough Bradan drinking water catchment area. This area has been under the management of the Forest Service for over 60 years. NI Water’s Catchment Team have carefully negotiated the removal of trees and have obtained consents and licences to enable this restoration.”
Roy continues “Occupying just 3% of the Earth’s land surface, peatlands are our biggest carbon store on land. Whilst the key target is to improve the water quality through natural filtration and flood attenuation, the restoration will also enhance biodiversity, reduce carbon losses from the land and provide a habitat for many rare and endangered species. NI Water are grateful for the funding under the Peatland Challenge Fund to enable this project which will benefit water quality, as well as providing a home for wildlife for many years to come.”
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir
Restoring Northern Ireland’s Peatlands will need a collaborative approach and, the RSPB Upland Bog project demonstrates how successful this approach can be in delivering significant outputs. The Department is confident that over the lifetime of the Peatland Challenge Fund this, and similar peatland restoration programmes, will contribute to healthier and more resilient peatlands in Northern Ireland, benefiting the wider environment through biodiversity gains and meeting Net Zero challenges.
Managing and restoring peatland
RSPB NI works to manage and restore peatland on its reserves, on farmland and in partnership. For nearly 60 years, RSPB NI has been working to protect precious species and habitats in across Northern Ireland as well as campaigning to inspire a world richer in nature.