Stuart Brooks helped move peatlands from the policy margins to a climate and biodiversity priority.
A geographer by training, he built restoration standards, aligned practice with policy at major trusts, and as founder of the IUCN UK Peatland Program shaped protections still guiding work today.
A geographer by training, he built restoration standards, aligned practice with policy at major trusts, and as founder of the IUCN UK Peatland Program shaped protections still guiding work today.
Stuart Brooks, peat protector, has died
Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. For much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, peatlands sat…
news.mongabay.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Stuart Brooks helped move peatlands from the policy margins to a climate and biodiversity priority.
A geographer by training, he built restoration standards, aligned practice with policy at major trusts, and as founder of the IUCN UK Peatland Program shaped protections still guiding work today.
A geographer by training, he built restoration standards, aligned practice with policy at major trusts, and as founder of the IUCN UK Peatland Program shaped protections still guiding work today.
☀️ A record year for British solar and £490m for peatland restoration: The sustainability success stories of the week
A record year for British solar and £490m for peatland restoration: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie delivers this member-exclusive weekly round-up of five of the best sustai
www.edie.net
December 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
☀️ A record year for British solar and £490m for peatland restoration: The sustainability success stories of the week
£490k peatlands restoration to proceed in Falkirk and North Lanarkshire
SP Energy Networks has committed £490,000 to a major peatland restoration project on Scotland’s Slamannan Plateau. Working with Buglife Scotland, the initiative aims to bring over 114 hectares of rare bog habitat back to life…
SP Energy Networks has committed £490,000 to a major peatland restoration project on Scotland’s Slamannan Plateau. Working with Buglife Scotland, the initiative aims to bring over 114 hectares of rare bog habitat back to life…
£490k peatlands restoration to proceed in Falkirk and North Lanarkshire
SP Energy Networks has committed £490,000 to a major peatland restoration project on Scotland’s Slamannan Plateau. Working with Buglife Scotland, the initiative aims to bring over 114 hectares of rare bog habitat back to life across Falkirk and North Lanarkshire – protecting unique wildlife and helping fight climate change. Peatlands are one of Scotland’s natural powerhouses, locking away vast amounts of carbon and supporting species found exclusively within these local areas.
nexttech-news.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
£490k peatlands restoration to proceed in Falkirk and North Lanarkshire
SP Energy Networks has committed £490,000 to a major peatland restoration project on Scotland’s Slamannan Plateau. Working with Buglife Scotland, the initiative aims to bring over 114 hectares of rare bog habitat back to life…
SP Energy Networks has committed £490,000 to a major peatland restoration project on Scotland’s Slamannan Plateau. Working with Buglife Scotland, the initiative aims to bring over 114 hectares of rare bog habitat back to life…
Recently ALFAwetlands and LIFE AMooRe projects´ teams met for a joint synergy meeting to discuss cooperation between research and implementation efforts in wetland and peatland restoration.
One of the key discussion points - ALFAwetlands landowner survey, opening new ways for collaboration Austria.
One of the key discussion points - ALFAwetlands landowner survey, opening new ways for collaboration Austria.
December 16, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Recently ALFAwetlands and LIFE AMooRe projects´ teams met for a joint synergy meeting to discuss cooperation between research and implementation efforts in wetland and peatland restoration.
One of the key discussion points - ALFAwetlands landowner survey, opening new ways for collaboration Austria.
One of the key discussion points - ALFAwetlands landowner survey, opening new ways for collaboration Austria.
In the UK too, often on bare upland peat hags so threatened by insensitive peatland restoration.
Lichenomphalia hudsoniana, a #mushroom producing #lichen. The green discs are the thallus/body of the lichen. It produces these beautiful, tiny mushrooms that are typically an inch or less high. #fungi #fungifriends Newfoundland, Canada
December 15, 2025 at 9:44 PM
In the UK too, often on bare upland peat hags so threatened by insensitive peatland restoration.
While peatlands cover a mere 3% of the earth’s ice-free land mass, they contain 30% of the world’s organic soil carbon.
Peatland conservation & restoration secures ecosystem services that support adaptive capacity & resilience.
buff.ly/HCbjhKK
Peatland conservation & restoration secures ecosystem services that support adaptive capacity & resilience.
buff.ly/HCbjhKK
December 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
While peatlands cover a mere 3% of the earth’s ice-free land mass, they contain 30% of the world’s organic soil carbon.
Peatland conservation & restoration secures ecosystem services that support adaptive capacity & resilience.
buff.ly/HCbjhKK
Peatland conservation & restoration secures ecosystem services that support adaptive capacity & resilience.
buff.ly/HCbjhKK
#NewResearch
Viral diversity and community structure are shaped by geography and ecosystem health status, positioning viruses as unexpected players in peatland restoration.
@kosmopoulos.bsky.social @ashish-malik.bsky.social @karthik-a.bsky.social
#MicroSky 🦠
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Viral diversity and community structure are shaped by geography and ecosystem health status, positioning viruses as unexpected players in peatland restoration.
@kosmopoulos.bsky.social @ashish-malik.bsky.social @karthik-a.bsky.social
#MicroSky 🦠
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Ecosystem health shapes viral ecology in peatland soils - Nature Microbiology
Metagenomics shows that viral diversity and community structure are shaped by geography and ecosystem health status, positioning viruses as unexpected players in peatland restoration.
www.nature.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
#NewResearch
Viral diversity and community structure are shaped by geography and ecosystem health status, positioning viruses as unexpected players in peatland restoration.
@kosmopoulos.bsky.social @ashish-malik.bsky.social @karthik-a.bsky.social
#MicroSky 🦠
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Viral diversity and community structure are shaped by geography and ecosystem health status, positioning viruses as unexpected players in peatland restoration.
@kosmopoulos.bsky.social @ashish-malik.bsky.social @karthik-a.bsky.social
#MicroSky 🦠
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Restoring Yorkshire’s peatlands! 🌱
Over 800ha of bog at #HumberheadLevels is being revived to lock carbon, boost biodiversity & reduce floods.
Learn more 👉 www.ywt.org.uk/blog/yorkshire-wildlife-trust/bringing-back-bog-peatland-restoration-humberhead-levels
#PeatlandRestoration
Over 800ha of bog at #HumberheadLevels is being revived to lock carbon, boost biodiversity & reduce floods.
Learn more 👉 www.ywt.org.uk/blog/yorkshire-wildlife-trust/bringing-back-bog-peatland-restoration-humberhead-levels
#PeatlandRestoration
Bringing back the bog: peatland restoration in the Humberhead Levels | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
A major project run by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is utilising methods like peat bunds and sphagnum planting to restore over 800 hectares of the…
www.ywt.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Restoring Yorkshire’s peatlands! 🌱
Over 800ha of bog at #HumberheadLevels is being revived to lock carbon, boost biodiversity & reduce floods.
Learn more 👉 www.ywt.org.uk/blog/yorkshire-wildlife-trust/bringing-back-bog-peatland-restoration-humberhead-levels
#PeatlandRestoration
Over 800ha of bog at #HumberheadLevels is being revived to lock carbon, boost biodiversity & reduce floods.
Learn more 👉 www.ywt.org.uk/blog/yorkshire-wildlife-trust/bringing-back-bog-peatland-restoration-humberhead-levels
#PeatlandRestoration
Soil viruses are important regulators of ecosystem function, but what are their roles in environments that face long-term degradation and restoration? In our paper published today in Nature Micro, we asked how soil viruses influence peatland recovery, and vice versa. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Ecosystem health shapes viral ecology in peatland soils - Nature Microbiology
Metagenomics shows that viral diversity and community structure are shaped by geography and ecosystem health status, positioning viruses as unexpected players in peatland restoration.
www.nature.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Soil viruses are important regulators of ecosystem function, but what are their roles in environments that face long-term degradation and restoration? In our paper published today in Nature Micro, we asked how soil viruses influence peatland recovery, and vice versa. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Taken together, our results show that viruses don't just track host populations but actively respond to environmental conditions with degradation and restoration. Integrating viruses into restoration monitoring will strengthen our ability to assess and enhance peatland ecosystem recovery.
December 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Taken together, our results show that viruses don't just track host populations but actively respond to environmental conditions with degradation and restoration. Integrating viruses into restoration monitoring will strengthen our ability to assess and enhance peatland ecosystem recovery.
Watch back talks from the BDS 2025 Annual Meeting.
Here, Eleanor Baker (Monitoring Officer, South West Peatland Partnership (South West Water)) discusses the large-scale restoration of peatlands taking place across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBv7...
Here, Eleanor Baker (Monitoring Officer, South West Peatland Partnership (South West Water)) discusses the large-scale restoration of peatlands taking place across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBv7...
December 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Watch back talks from the BDS 2025 Annual Meeting.
Here, Eleanor Baker (Monitoring Officer, South West Peatland Partnership (South West Water)) discusses the large-scale restoration of peatlands taking place across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBv7...
Here, Eleanor Baker (Monitoring Officer, South West Peatland Partnership (South West Water)) discusses the large-scale restoration of peatlands taking place across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBv7...
Really important stuff - #archaeology is far from ‘safe’ even when it remains buried… But these conversations need to happen in collaboration with nature-based approaches to #peatland restoration, at multiple scales, and across traditional borders #peatbogs
NEW Peatlands are incredibly valuable for archaeologists, preserving organic materials that usually do not survive. However, this heritage is under threat and the latest #AntiquityDebate argues action must be taken now to save the #archaeology 🏺
@royvanbeek.bsky.social
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
@royvanbeek.bsky.social
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
December 8, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Really important stuff - #archaeology is far from ‘safe’ even when it remains buried… But these conversations need to happen in collaboration with nature-based approaches to #peatland restoration, at multiple scales, and across traditional borders #peatbogs
An ambitious plan to support peatland restoration in Wales over the next five years was unveiled by Natural Resources Wales on World Soil Day
'Ambitious' peatland restoration plan launched
An ambitious plan to support peatland restoration in Wales over the next five years has been unveiled by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on World Soil Day (5/12/25). The Wales Peatland Action plan for 2...
wp.me
December 7, 2025 at 8:01 AM
An ambitious plan to support peatland restoration in Wales over the next five years was unveiled by Natural Resources Wales on World Soil Day
Fantastic to see a renewed committment to peatland restoration in Wales. We have collaborated on many of these sites, including Cors Caron and Crymlyn Bog, and are looking forward to future work.
An ambitious plan to support peatland restoration in Wales over the next five years was unveiled by Natural Resources Wales on World Soil Day
'Ambitious' peatland restoration plan launched
An ambitious plan to support peatland restoration in Wales over the next five years has been unveiled by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on World Soil Day (5/12/25). The Wales Peatland Action plan for 2...
wp.me
December 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Fantastic to see a renewed committment to peatland restoration in Wales. We have collaborated on many of these sites, including Cors Caron and Crymlyn Bog, and are looking forward to future work.
On #WorldSoilDay, we unveil an ambitious plan for peatland restoration over the next 5 years bit.ly/49SIrfZ.
The Deputy First Minister said: “By 2030 we hope to triple the peatland restoration rate.” bit.ly/48Ux3za
#WalesPeatlandAction #WelshGovernment @peatlandcymru.bsky.social
The Deputy First Minister said: “By 2030 we hope to triple the peatland restoration rate.” bit.ly/48Ux3za
#WalesPeatlandAction #WelshGovernment @peatlandcymru.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
On #WorldSoilDay, we unveil an ambitious plan for peatland restoration over the next 5 years bit.ly/49SIrfZ.
The Deputy First Minister said: “By 2030 we hope to triple the peatland restoration rate.” bit.ly/48Ux3za
#WalesPeatlandAction #WelshGovernment @peatlandcymru.bsky.social
The Deputy First Minister said: “By 2030 we hope to triple the peatland restoration rate.” bit.ly/48Ux3za
#WalesPeatlandAction #WelshGovernment @peatlandcymru.bsky.social
Delighted to be on bonnie Edinburgh today at the Peatland Restoration Conference. Its great to see the ongoing collaboration on peatland restoration between Eire - Alba.
December 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Delighted to be on bonnie Edinburgh today at the Peatland Restoration Conference. Its great to see the ongoing collaboration on peatland restoration between Eire - Alba.
Here's the written statement on the Environmental Improvement Plan: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Key points below
Key points below
December 1, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Here's the written statement on the Environmental Improvement Plan: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Key points below
Key points below
Thrilled to be nominated!
Congrats to Gwendal Breton, PhD student, for leading an outstanding study applying the Ecological Quality Assessment (EQA) framework to evaluate peatland restoration success across 147 restored sectors compared to 227 reference sites.
🔗 doi.org/10.1111/rec....
Congrats to Gwendal Breton, PhD student, for leading an outstanding study applying the Ecological Quality Assessment (EQA) framework to evaluate peatland restoration success across 147 restored sectors compared to 227 reference sites.
🔗 doi.org/10.1111/rec....
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Thrilled to be nominated!
Congrats to Gwendal Breton, PhD student, for leading an outstanding study applying the Ecological Quality Assessment (EQA) framework to evaluate peatland restoration success across 147 restored sectors compared to 227 reference sites.
🔗 doi.org/10.1111/rec....
Congrats to Gwendal Breton, PhD student, for leading an outstanding study applying the Ecological Quality Assessment (EQA) framework to evaluate peatland restoration success across 147 restored sectors compared to 227 reference sites.
🔗 doi.org/10.1111/rec....
The Duchy of Cornwall reacted with dismay to the news, saying: "Woodland expansion alongside peatland restoration is central to a restored landscape across Dartmoor.”
It is essential that all Dartmoor farmers, common graziers & conservationists condemn this act of ecological vandalism.
It is essential that all Dartmoor farmers, common graziers & conservationists condemn this act of ecological vandalism.
November 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The Duchy of Cornwall reacted with dismay to the news, saying: "Woodland expansion alongside peatland restoration is central to a restored landscape across Dartmoor.”
It is essential that all Dartmoor farmers, common graziers & conservationists condemn this act of ecological vandalism.
It is essential that all Dartmoor farmers, common graziers & conservationists condemn this act of ecological vandalism.
I was lucky to do my MSc research project on peatland restoration with the RSPB and it was a brilliant experience, eventually leading to a publication in a journal 💚 Would highly recommend to any students!
Studying for an MSc in the UK this year and looking for a research project? 🧪🌍
Check out our list of available MSc projects now live: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
Check out our list of available MSc projects now live: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
Postgraduate opportunities
The RSPB is offering a variety of exciting research projects for postgraduate students in 2026.
www.rspb.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I was lucky to do my MSc research project on peatland restoration with the RSPB and it was a brilliant experience, eventually leading to a publication in a journal 💚 Would highly recommend to any students!
Tomorrow! Integrating Peatland Restoration and FOLU within the Global Carbon Market Framework
November 20, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Tomorrow! Integrating Peatland Restoration and FOLU within the Global Carbon Market Framework
Good to have NPAP’s Jake White and @natreswales.bsky.social Duncan Dumbreck introducing NRW River Restoration Seminar delegates to the river restoration & peatland work in the Teifi catchment yesterday. This followed a day of focusing on catchment-scale working.
#4AfonLife #4RiversLife
#4AfonLife #4RiversLife
November 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Good to have NPAP’s Jake White and @natreswales.bsky.social Duncan Dumbreck introducing NRW River Restoration Seminar delegates to the river restoration & peatland work in the Teifi catchment yesterday. This followed a day of focusing on catchment-scale working.
#4AfonLife #4RiversLife
#4AfonLife #4RiversLife
Scotland should be leading on peatland restoration but instead the First Minister is taking us backwards.
#ScottishGreens #Peatland #ClimateChange
#ScottishGreens #Peatland #ClimateChange
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Scotland should be leading on peatland restoration but instead the First Minister is taking us backwards.
#ScottishGreens #Peatland #ClimateChange
#ScottishGreens #Peatland #ClimateChange
#EGU has become a great event for peatlanders. If you work on #paludiculture, restoration or managed peatlands, our session at #EGU26 might be the one for you:
👉 meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
@tannebergerf.bsky.social, Łukasz Kozub, Hanna Silvennoinen, Sue Page
@egubg.bsky.social
👉 meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
@tannebergerf.bsky.social, Łukasz Kozub, Hanna Silvennoinen, Sue Page
@egubg.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
#EGU has become a great event for peatlanders. If you work on #paludiculture, restoration or managed peatlands, our session at #EGU26 might be the one for you:
👉 meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
@tannebergerf.bsky.social, Łukasz Kozub, Hanna Silvennoinen, Sue Page
@egubg.bsky.social
👉 meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
@tannebergerf.bsky.social, Łukasz Kozub, Hanna Silvennoinen, Sue Page
@egubg.bsky.social
Another step backwards on the climate from the Scottish Government today.
The First Minister has confirmed to @ariane-burgess.bsky.social that the 2030 target for peatland restoration has been dropped and replaced with a weak 2040 target.
What is going on?
The First Minister has confirmed to @ariane-burgess.bsky.social that the 2030 target for peatland restoration has been dropped and replaced with a weak 2040 target.
What is going on?
The SNP's wrecking amendment to this motion has sadly passed, confirming that the Scottish Government no longer opposes the Rosebank oil field application. A huge step backwards and a sad day for Scotland's reputation on climate action.
Under Nicola Sturgeon & Humza Yousaf the Scottish Government rightly opposed the proposed Rosebank oil field.
John Swinney has sadly dropped that opposition and tried to avoid taking a position at all.
That's not good enough, so tomorrow the @scottishgreens.org will force a vote.
John Swinney has sadly dropped that opposition and tried to avoid taking a position at all.
That's not good enough, so tomorrow the @scottishgreens.org will force a vote.
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Another step backwards on the climate from the Scottish Government today.
The First Minister has confirmed to @ariane-burgess.bsky.social that the 2030 target for peatland restoration has been dropped and replaced with a weak 2040 target.
What is going on?
The First Minister has confirmed to @ariane-burgess.bsky.social that the 2030 target for peatland restoration has been dropped and replaced with a weak 2040 target.
What is going on?