Largest ever gathering of UK peatland experts to celebrate ‘Peatlands, People and Nature’ in the Cairngorms National Park

Aviemore will host the UK’s largest gathering of peatland experts at the annual IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort from 17 – 19 September.  An estimated 400 people will attend the three-day event.

The vital connection between people and peatlands is an issue of global concern and Scotland stands among those peatland nations that are leading the way in safeguarding this important part of our natural environment. The conference will celebrate and share the tremendous work of organisations, in Scotland and across the UK, who have been repairing damaged peatlands and seeing the benefits for people and nature even in the early stages of recovery. We bring together everyone with an interest in peatlands, from land managers to policymakers and scientists to restoration practitioners, to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and experience and seek solutions to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

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 National Nature Reserve, Wildland Estate and Inshriach 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 open to the public. Anyone is welcome to join in the evening exhibition on Tuesday 17^th 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, our public ‘Peatland Cinema’ screening takes 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 our plenary sessions on Tuesday 17^th September. Tickets for online attendance during Day 1 can be purchased here

With many examples of partnership working to restore peatlands in and around Scotland, Aviemore was an obvious choice when it came to choosing a location for the conference.

Director for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, Dr Emma Hinchliffe, said: “This is the fourth time the IUCN UK Peatland Programme has brought its annual conference to Scotland. It speaks volumes that we have had an overwhelming demand for tickets and will be gathering around 400 peatland experts from across the UK during our three days in Aviemore.  There is a wealth of expertise in the area and delegates will have a chance to visit inspirational sites within the Cairngorms National Park to see Scotland’s world-leading peatland restoration work for themselves. The annual IUCN conference is a real melting pot of expertise and I am excited to welcome delegates to Aviemore for this year’s event and for being able to take the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting to discuss some of the most pressing issues for UK peatlands.”

The conference is being run in partnership with headline sponsor Peatland ACTION, Scotland’s national programme to restore peatlands which is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in a partnership led by NatureScot alongside Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and Scottish Water. As headline sponsors, Peatland ACTION will be showcasing the peatland restoration work being undertaken to meet Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets. Additional sponsors of the event include McGowan Environmental, Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Story and Stage, BeadaMoss, Gordon and MacPhail and the Scotch Whisky Association.

Grant Moir, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted to welcome the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference to the Cairngorms National Park. Large-scale peatland restoration is essential to our plans to become the UK’s first net zero national park, and it is only by working in partnership with land managers, scientists, the public and private sectors, and local communities that we can achieve our collective restoration targets. This conference will be a great opportunity to showcase what’s been achieved so far and to bring people together from multiple perspectives to find common ground and tackle the issues that matter.”

Claudia Rowse, Deputy Director of Green Economy at NatureScot, said: “I’m delighted that Peatland ACTION is this year’s headline sponsor of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference. Supporting this large-scale gathering of the peatland community is a great opportunity to showcase the leading role Scotland is taking in protecting, managing and restoring our globally important peatland habitats. We know that peatlands are a vital part of our effort to combat climate change and nature loss, as well as generating jobs in rural communities across the country. Bringing together people from across the peatland sector to share the latest research and understanding in peatland restoration and science will be an important opportunity to share best practice and exchange knowledge.”

Clare Armstrong, director of sales at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, said: “We are excited to welcome the IUCN conference to Aviemore for what promises to be a fantastic and insightful event. Through our sponsorship and hosting responsibilities, the resort is committed to playing a vital role in not only facilitating the exhibition’s success but also promoting the important work being done to preserve and protect our natural environment and peatlands more widely. Delegates can be assured of a warm Highland welcome while our highly experienced team of talented conference professionals will ensure that every detail is taken care of, from start to finish.”