A major cross-border conservation effort has been launched to restore degraded peatlands across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland's border counties. The €19.2 million PEAT+ Project, led by the charity Ulster Wildlife, will target 19 priority sites over the next three years, including significant landmarks in the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Gullion.

In the Mournes, restoration work will focus on the Pot of Doan, while the southern half of Slieve Gullion has also been earmarked for recovery. The project is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and involves a wide coalition of partners including Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Mourne Heritage Trust, and various other local authorities and academic institutions.

Peatlands are considered "powerhouses" of the natural environment, yet it is estimated that 80% of Irish peatland remains in a degraded state. When damaged, these landscapes switch from being carbon sinks to significant sources of carbon emissions. Restoring them is viewed as a critical step in reaching climate targets, improving water quality, and reducing downstream flood risks.

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DAERA Minister Andrew Muir highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration: "The PEAT+ programme provides a unique opportunity for collaboration between landowners, project partners, and statutory agencies across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This partnership approach will not only enable effective delivery of peatland restoration but also foster lasting legacy relationships to support future initiatives."

Beyond carbon storage, the project aims to protect the unique heritage of these landscapes and recover threatened species, such as the large heath butterfly and the golden plover.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, emphasised the long-term benefits: "This is an important peatland restoration initiative which will leave a lasting legacy. The Peat+ Project funded by PEACEPLUS will have a positively significant impact and promote the heritage of peatlands which are remarkable landscapes. It is important we all work to protect these fragile environments for future generations."

The project brings together scientific research, land management, and community engagement to ensure the ecosystems can thrive. SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre noted that the project reflects a "shared responsibility" to address environmental challenges that do not stop at the border.

Ulster Wildlife Chief Executive Officer, Dawn Miskelly, added: "We're very proud to be leading this really significant project that will make a lasting difference for nature, people and climate. Our peatlands are real powerhouses of habitats that provide multiple benefits for wildlife, for communities and for the economy."

Work on the identified priority sites is expected to roll out over the coming months, involving close coordination with local landowners and statutory agencies including NI Water and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.