Scotland To Host Largest-ever IUCN Peatland Conference

11th September 2024

The largest-ever gathering of UK peatland experts is to celebrate ‘Peatlands, People and Nature' in Scotland later this month - and Peatland ACTION has a key part to play.

Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park is to play host to the annual IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort from 17-19 September.

PLEASE NOTE: In-person ticket sales have now closed. Remote tickets for Day 1 only are available until Sunday 15th September.

An estimated 400 people will attend the three-day event, more than at any previous year. There will also be a free, public session which is open to anyone to attend - so do come along if you're in the area and interested in peatlands (and if you're reading this hopefully you will be!)

The conference will bring together everyone with an interest in peatlands, from land managers to policy makers and scientists to restoration practitioners, to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and experience. It will celebrate and share the tremendous work of organisations in Scotland and across the UK who have been restoring damaged peatlands and seeing the benefits for people and nature even in the early stages of recovery.

The vital connection between people and peatlands is an issue of global concern, and we are proud that Scotland, in large part through the Scottish Government's Peatland ACTION partnership programme, stands among those peatland nations that are leading the way in safeguarding this important part of our natural environment.

Delegates will have the opportunity to experience the work of Scotland's Peatland ACTION programme in progress on field trips to 12 locations including Creag Meagaidh and Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserves, Wildland Estate and Dalchork Forest. Workshops and talks will explore a variety of themes from community engagement to developing technologies, showcasing the latest research and peatland projects.

Parts of this year's event will also be free, and open to the public. Anyone is welcome to join in the evening exhibition on Tuesday 17 September, from 5pm-7pm in the Osprey Arena within the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, where around 300 conference delegates will also be in attendance. The exhibition will offer the chance to meet a diverse range of people from across the UK and learn more about peatlands through a variety of interactive exhibits and displays. In addition, the public ‘Peatland Cinema' screenings take place from 6pm-7pm, featuring the premiere of the creative film ‘Sphagnum Portraits' and many other inspiring pieces.

The conference will also be delivered as a hybrid event, with remote attendance available for the plenary sessions on Tuesday 17 September - again this is open to anyone with an interest in peatlands. Tickets for online attendance during Day 1 (£20) can be purchased via the IUCN website -
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/iucnukpeatlandprogramme/1198027

For more go to -
https://scotlandsnature.wordpress.com/2024/09/06/scotland-to-host-largest-ever-iucn-peatland-conference/