LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature works closely with farmers, local communities and landowners to deliver conservation and restoration of our Special Area of Conservation (SAC) network of blanket bogs and associated areas.

Forestry plantations on blanket bog

Commercial planting of conifers on peatlands was a common practice in Ireland in the last century and brought important short-term socio-economic benefits to many areas. We now know that the environmental impacts of afforestation on blanket bog is often negative. Many plantations were located in areas of deep peat with high water tables that resulted in very poor growth rates. For many landowners, the monetary value of the crop is low and there are additional financial burdens in relation to on-going insurance costs and regulatory obstacles, particularly if they are located within or adjacent to designated or environmentally sensitive sites.

Forest to bog restoration

Forest to bog restoration involves removing conifer plantations from areas that were once open peatland, with the goal of improving habitat quality and reducing carbon emissions. Forest to bog restoration can be a complex and costly undertaking due to the extensive degradation of the peatland habitat and added practical and regulatory complexities of removing forestry and changing land use.

Call for expressions of Interest

LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature are working with landowners with lands within, or in near proximity to, designated site who may be interested in reverting their forestry to open peatland. Expressions of Interest forms to participate in our forest to bog restoration programme are available here. You can download the privacy statement here.