Podcasts about peatlands

The poet Seamus Heaney once said, "I think of the bog as a feminine goddess-ridden ground, rather like the territory of Ireland itself."And that territory is 14- to- 21 percent bog.So, on their fourth day “Off the Beaten Craic in the Hidden Heartlands,” Irish Stew cohosts John Lee and Martin Nutty head to Shinrone in Offaly near the Tipperary border to the farm of Donie Regan, a demonstration site for Peatlands for Prosperity, the brainchild of Douglas McMillan and his Green Restoration Ireland Cooperative team.Doug explains how centuries of peat extraction left expanses of degraded bogland, often dismissed as wastelands. But they're fields of dreams for Doug who outlines how rewetting bogs halts carbon loss, restores biodiversity, and opens the opportunity to the wet farming techniques known as paludiculture.Using Donie's farm as a showroom for how paludiculture can restore economic value to bog land, Peatlands for Prosperity is testing potential hydrophilic cash crops such as bog berries, cranberries, even lettuce and celery, as well as common wetland plants like bullrushes and common reeds which can be renewable sources of building and packaging materials. Both believe wetland agriculture can offer farmers meaningful new income streams from both these kinds of crops and from earning carbon credits for maintaining carbon-sequestering bogs.The conversation probes the challenges of farmer hesitancy, policy confusion, cultural ties to turf cutting, and how the demonstration site helps other farmers see the program's potential.Donie speaks passionately about witnessing wildlife return to his land, and the team discusses educational outreach, including bringing schoolchildren onto the bog to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, the ecotourism possibilities of restored boglands, and how transforming Ireland's peatlands could be a win-win for climate, biodiversity, farmers, and rural communities alike.But let's give Seamus Heaney the last word from his poem Bogland:Our unfenced country Is bog that keeps crusting Between the sights of the sunNext week Irish Stew reports from Birr Castle with a focus on the groundbreaking science done there, exemplified by the world's largest telescope for 72 years, the mighty Leviathan of Parsonstown.LinksGreen Restoration Ireland WebsitePeatlands for ProsperityFacebookYouTubeLinkedInInstagramBlueskyXDouglas McMillanLinkedInHidden Heartlands Travel ResourcesIreland.comDiscover Ireland's Hidden HeartlandsIrish Stew LinksWebsiteEpisode Page: Peatlands for ProsperityInstagramLinkedInXFacebook

How did Ireland become a food destination? Thanks go to chefs like John Coffey of Athlone's Thyme Restaurant and Belfast's Niall McKenna of the Waterman House, both past Irish Stew guests.But ask those chefs that question and they'll thank their lucky stars for the local producers who supply the fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood, and dairy that make their cooking soar.So Irish Stew went Off the Beaten Craic to Daingean, Co. Offaly, to talk with two farmers on the vanguard of Ireland's organic agriculture boom in an historic Georgian farmhouse at the heart of Mount Briscoe Organic Farm.Margaret Edgill set aside her marketing and event planning career in Dublin to take over Mount Briscoe, which her family has farmed for seven generations. Joining her for the conversation was her Geashill, Co. Offaly neighbor Pippa Hackett, also an organic farmer and Ireland's former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.Margaret describes the privilege of stewarding Mount Briscoe and the many ways she's infusing renewed life and new ideas into the land with a mix of organic beef production, upscale B&B accommodations, a shade more rustic “glamping” experiences, artisan food production, memorable farm-to-fork experiences, and public programs designed to celebrate the traditions and vitality of rural life.Pippa draws on her background in science and public service to champion greener, more sustainable farming practices, sharing insights shaped by her years on the farm and in government. “If you have a healthy environment and a healthy farm, you're going to have healthy animals and produce healthy foods,” she says, adding that with organic farming, “There's a great sort of magic in it--you actually have to do less work to get more."The pair delve into Ireland's “Origin Green” brand, the ongoing debate between organic and conventional farming methods, the lopsided economics that farmers juggle, the benefits of Irish people consuming Irish produce, and how hands-on rural experiences can counteract the growing urban disconnect with what's on their plates.Margaret offers her “wellies-on-the-ground” perspectives as both a farmer and owner of an agritourism business adding to the Hidden Heartlands tourism mix, talking up Ireland's potential as a green island destination, sharing how North Americans come to Mount Briscoe seeking heritage, tranquility, and authentic farm experiences, how guests look to disconnect with a digital detox, and how as climate change is making traditionally hot destinations less appealing, she's seeing first-hand the growing appeal “cool-cationing” in Ireland…even with its rainy days.And it was a rainy day indeed when Irish Stew visited Mount Briscoe Farm, but to cohosts John and Martin, the lush fields looked all the greener for it.Next week Irish Stew visits another Offlay farm and slogs through a bog to explore the innovative Peatlands for Prosperity initiative.LinksMargaret EdgillLinkedInInstagramFacebookMount Briscoe FarmWebsiteInstagramFacebookPippa HackettWebsiteLinkedInInstagram

Peat bogs can store twice as much carbon as forests, are among the most carbon rich ecosystems on earth, and provide a home to many mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians.  Presenter, writer and horticulturalist Alys Fowler, known for her botanical passion and ecological awareness, urges us to sink deep into the dark earths of these rugged places to appreciate the value of peatlands natural resources, beauty and richness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet Julia Kasper, cofounder and CEO of Zukunftmoor, a company rewetting drained peatlands and growing sphagnum moss to transform how we think about agriculture. Their powerful approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes climate-friendly farming possible in peatland regions.Peatlands, peatlands, peatlands: the biggest climate opportunity in agriculture isn't cover crops or even silvopasture, but rewetting the humble peatlands. They cover only 3% of the global land surface, yet hold immense amounts of CO2. And when they're drained- as many are- they release it, not just once, but year after year after year. Like a bathtub with the plug out and the shower still on.These lands, at least in Europe, are often farmed and not very profitable. But before these farmers risk their livelihoods, we need concrete alternatives to transition. That's what Julia works on: how to grow something that can replace current agricultural methods on peatlands while rewetting them. And it seems they've found a big part of the puzzle: rewetting peatlands and growing sphagnum moss. Currently, when you buy a plant in a shop or when plants are grown in greenhouses, the growing medium contains a lot of extracted peat, which comes with huge emissions and will soon be illegal in Europe. Sphagnum moss can replace this 1-to-1. More about this episode.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================

Ali Morse is the Water Policy Manager at The Wildlife Trusts and together we talk the truth about peat: how much is still being extracted, why government promises have fallen short, and the role horticulture plays in the story. We also look ahead to the solutions—both practical and political—that could finally protect these precious habitats. Links The Wildlife Trusts – Main Website Nic Wilson's Peat Free Nurseries List Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 47: Going Peat Free with John WalkerIn this episode, I speak with John Walker, the “Earth Friendly Gardener,” about the use of peat in gardening, why it's so harmful, and what's being done to end its use. He reflects on whether we can realistically eradicate peat from horticultural products. Roots and All Episode 144: The State of Horticulture with Matthew ApplebyI chat with Matthew Appleby, Editor of Horticulture Week, about broader industry dynamics—such as Brexit, supply chain changes, and how the push to go peat-free is impacting both gardeners and the horticultural trade. Roots and All Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod On Facebook @rootsandalluk On LinkedIn @rootsandall

Peatlands, bogs, swamps, and wetlands are uniquely biodiverse natural spaces: soft coastal barriers that make immeasurable contributions to the health and sustainability of human endeavor. Left unprotected, their consumption contributes to a growing worldwide problem; conserved, they sequester carbon, enable wildlife, filter water, and protect us from coastal inundation. About World Ocean Radio World Ocean Radio is a weekly series of five-minute audio essays available for syndicated use at no cost by college and community radio stations worldwide. Peter Neill, Founder of the World Ocean Observatory and host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects.World Ocean Radio 15 Years, 760+ Episodes Ocean is climate Climate is ocean The sea connects all thingsWorld Ocean Radio: 5-minute weekly insights in ocean science, advocacy, education, global ocean issues, challenges, marine science, policy, and solutions. Hosted by Peter Neill, Founder of W2O. Learn more at worldoceanobservatory.org

In this episode, Daithí speaks to Hugh McLindon, the District Conservation Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for Wicklow. They cover lots of ground, from what makes a peatland, to how they come to exist and the realities of bog restoration in Ireland. With the NWPS doing lots of work on restoring the Special Area of Conservation in the Wicklow National Park, Hugh tells Daithí about his own experience as a Park Ranger and the shift in culture that he has seen in his 30 years of working with the NPWS, a shift that has given him great hope for the future and enthusiasm for the work being done! Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion. Links: NPWS Website: https://www.npws.ie/       Blanket Bogs in Ireland Factsheet: https://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-habitat-types/blanket-bogs/ Raised Bogs in Ireland Factsheet: https://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-habitat-types/raised-bogs/ Ireland referred to EU court for failure to protect peatlands: https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2024/03/13/ireland-referred-to-eu-court-for-failure-to-protect-bog-lands-and-curb-turf-extraction/ SUAS Project: https://suaseipproject.ie/    Special Areas of Conservation SAC map Ireland https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac#:~:text=Special%20Areas%20of%20Conservation%20(SAC)%20are%20prime%20wildlife%20conservation%20areas,well%20as%20an%20Irish%20level.

Peatlands cover only 3% of the land's surface but store almost twice as much carbon as all the forests in the world. Where does this carbon come from and does it stay there?

This week, Adam discusses the positive outlook for sucklers, Darren covers the peatlands appeals process, Lorcan reviews recent trade developments, and Stephen talks to ESB Networks' Alan Kelly about tree-cutting safety concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peatlands sequester twice as much carbon as all the world's forests and are vital ecosystems with essential roles in water management and biodiversity support — but they are under threat. Most have been damaged due to peat extraction and other human activity, contributing to climate change. British horticulturist, journalist and author Alys Fowler joins me on the podcast this week to share why peatlands are indispensable and why gardeners should reconsider their use of peat moss. Podcast Links for Show Notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It's what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most challenging conditions. Subscribe to the joegardener® email list to receive weekly updates about new podcast episodes, seasonal gardening tips, and online gardening course announcements. Check out The joegardener® Online Gardening Academy for our growing library of organic gardening courses. Follow joegardener® on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and subscribe to The joegardenerTV YouTube channel.

Peatlands are a special kind of wetland that have enormous potential for helping to mitigate climate change.  They are great at capturing carbon because their constantly soggy soils deprive decomposer organisms of the oxygen they need to break down dead plants.  Living plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporate the carbon into their […]

Michael Healy-Rae, who’s Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for forestry, says trees should be planted on peatlands. Sinn Féin’s spokesperson for climate, the environment and energy Pa Daly says such proposals are ill-conceived and irresponsible. At the start of the interview, Minister of State Healy-Rae paid tribute to Joe Quinn, who died in a farm accident in Tahilla this week. Deputy Daly also offered his condolences to Mr Quinn’s family.

Today on the show we're talking about paludiculture. You might not have heard the term before, but paludiculture is the practice of wetland farming—essentially growing crops on rewetted lands, usually peatlands. Paludiculture is emerging as a way to restore peatlands, reduce carbon emissions, and explore the creation of new income opportunities for farmers and landowners.Peatlands play a critical role in ecosystems. They store vast amounts of carbon, support biodiversity, and regulate water levels. However, draining peatlands releases huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The big question is: can we farm in a way that both protects and restores these landscapes?Jenny Bennion and Sarah Johnson from Lancashire Wildlife Trust believe that paludiculture could provide at least some of the answers. For more info on paludiculture visit - www.paludiculture.org.ukMeet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. About Ben and  RuralPod MediaBen Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. Follow us on social mediaInstagram @mtf_podcastTwitter @mtf_podcastWatch us on Youtube here

John Connolly, Assistant Professor in Physical Geography, Trinity College Dublin, joined Mark Gibson on the latest podcast version of the Signpost Series to discuss Ireland's hidden peatlands A questions and answers session took place at the end of the webinar which was facilitated by Teagasc's Catherine Keena. To register for future webinars visit:https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/sustainable-agriculture-webinars/                        For more podcasts from the Signpost Series go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/signpostpodcast/ 

In the fifth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Simon Owen,founder of Standby Productions and the first-ever ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and North Merseyside.Simon shares his passion for supporting the environment and his journey from birdwatching with his dad to making award-winning wildlife films. He discusses the importance of peatlands, the challenges of conservation funding, and his unique partnership with the Wildlife Trust. Simon also highlights community projects and the positive impact of connecting people with nature. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on turning passion into purpose and making a meaningful social impact.#Conservation #Environment #Peatlands#community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast Did you know:  ·     Peatlands are vital ecosystems that store carbon, provide clean water, and support biodiversity. ·      They also help prevent flooding. ·   They support rare plants, insects and wading birds, Key resources:Standby ProductionsLancashire Wildlife Trust Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:(00:55) Simon Owen on Environmental Support(03:58) Partnership with Wildlife Trust(07:37) Challenges and Community Impact(18:42) Finding Your Passion and Making an Impact(20:42) Unique Partnerships and Creative Funding(22:02) Harnessing Business for Environmental Good(22:53) Signature Questions: Manchester's Unique Social Impact(28:53) Heartwarming Stories and Final Thoughts Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

*The National Trust Podcast is changing.* From March 2025 the National Trust Podcast will look different so we can bring you more immersive stories in Nature, History and Adventure. Stay on this stream for our new nature podcast, Wild Tales… and look out for our new history podcast, Back When. Remember to follow your favourite shows from National Trust Podcasts to be the first to hear new episodes as they arrive.  We'd love to hear from you: please get in touch with feedback, thoughts or your ideas for stories at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk Click here to read these episode notes in Welsh One of the simple pleasures in life is getting outdoors for a walk, taking in the world around you with some fresh air and then nipping into a cosy pub for a well earned treat. Claire Hickinbotham takes you on some of our favourite walks from our book ‘100 Great Pub Walks' and finds out why caring for our planet, is necessary for the good of the humble pint.  From floodplains to fens, from peatlands to pubs, discover the work that goes on to look after our planet. [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by Starling Bank. Peatlands are essential for people and the planet in lots of incredible ways - they act like natural sponges, storing more carbon than all of the world's rainforests put together.  And they're a habitat for a whole host of wildlife. And they act as flood defences in the face of climate change.   Starling Bank have been funding the National Trust's work towards saving our peatlands since 2023, supporting projects that'll restore and protect over 400 hectares of the UK's precious peatland  – that's 372 football pitches.  Find out more about Starling and the National Trust's conservation work: https://www.starlingbank.com/about/partnerships/starling-and-the-national-trust/ Production Host: Claire Hickinbotham Producer: Jack Glover Higgins Sound editor: Jesus Gomez   Discover more 2025 marks our 130th birthday. In each chapter of our history, we've adapted to the needs of the day. Now, it's time for a vision that takes us into the future. Our new strategy sets out our aims and ambitions for the next decade and beyond. Find out how we are restoring nature, ending unequal access to nature and taking action here. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/our-strategy  Learn about our peatland habitats and the work we're doing to protect them here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/our-cause/nature-climate/climate-change-sustainability/preserving-our-peatland  Pick up a copy of 100 Great Pub Walks by visiting https://shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/national-trust-100-great-pub-walks.html or by popping into your local bookshop.  For more on wetlands, including Peat bogs, floodplains and fens, check out our friends at the Wetland Wildlife Trust https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetlands  Find out how the climate is affecting the taste and cost of our beer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67078674 Find your local People, Planet, Pint here; https://small99.co.uk/people-planet-pint-meetup/  Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk 

The majority of the UK's peatlands could be at risk of drying out in the next 40-50 years because of climate change - according to a new study from scientists at the Universities of Exeter, Manchester and Derby. Healthy, wet peatlands are seen as part of the solution to climate change because they soak up planet-heating carbon dioxide - UK peatlands currently store an estimated 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon. But where they dry out, they become a problem, because they can then release that stored carbon back into the atmosphere.There are a lot of things we want from the land of course - food production, green energy, housing, space for nature - and often these things are seen as being in competition with one another. We visit a farm where many different types of land use have been integrated so they can work hand in hand.And tree planting is something else that faces criticism for taking land out of food production. But in agroforestry systems, trees are planted alongside livestock or crops. We find out about a new tree species guide for UK Agroforestry Systems which has been produced by Forest Research and the University of Reading, to help farmers decide what to plant and where.Presented by Steffan Messenger Produced by Heather Simons

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore the waterlogged world of peatlands. We learn about the huge value that peat can bring, in terms of storing carbon, reducing flood risk, purifying water and providing habitat for rare species like adder, curlew and insectivorous plants. Listen, to hear how both Ulster Wildlife and Lancashire Peat Partnership are working to restore peatlands, and discover how you can take action to protect these incredible landscapes. Learn about the impact of degraded peatland. Hear about animals and plants that call peatlands their home. Find out why peatlands have become so degraded and damaged. Learn about the importance of buying peat-free compost. Get inspired to take big local action for peat! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Show Notes Find out more about restoring peatlands: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/restore-peatlands Discover all 25 Big Local Actions for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction Listen back to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast Find out more about Lancashire Peat Partnership: https://www.lancswt.org.uk/our-work/projects/peatland-restoration/lancashire-peat-partnership Read about one of Lancashire Peat Partnership's flagship projects, in the Forest of Bowland AONB: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/bowland-priority-peat Read about Ulster Wildlife's current project at Haughey's Bog: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/haugheys-bog-restoration Learn more about Ulster Wildlife's work on peat: https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/saving-our-peatlands Discover gardening and growing projects via Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives?search_term=&filter-local_area=&filter-action_area%5B%5D=56&filter-positive_impact%5B%5D=17 Find a peat-free plant nursery near you: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/peat/peat-free-nurseries Find your local wildlife trust to explore peatland volunteering opportunities: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/peat/peat-free-nurseries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textIn this  episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss teams up with a special guest (her son, Lukas!) to kick off a mini-series exploring the bizarre and fascinating things found in bogs. Discover the strange world of bog butter—a 3,500-year-old lump of butter preserved so well that it's technically still edible. Learn why bogs are nature's refrigerators, the ecological importance of these wetland wonders, and the cultural significance of butter in ancient times. Packed with fascinating insights and hilarious commentary brought by Lukas, this episode is perfect for curious minds and those who love a good laugh with their science.Perfect for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by the oddities of our world.Want to see behind the scenes and unedited footage?!

A new voluntary certification that will help restore Ireland's peatland and boost climate resilience by allowing farmers and landowners to demonstrate the environmental benefit of their activities has been launched for public consultation. According to estimates, the restoration of the 700,000 hectares of degraded peatlands in the country could help to avoid up to 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. The Peatland Standard for Ireland will help landowners attract funding to accelerate peatland revival. Those wishing to restore peatlands on their land will be able to fund their projects by offering verified ecosystem certificates encompassing carbon, biodiversity, and water benefits to organisations wanting to invest in and support conservation and sustainability initiatives. Irish peatlands are waterlogged, carbon-rich habitats for diverse species that regulate water flow, quality, and flood risks. However, most Irish bogs are degraded due to human activities. The new science-based certification creates a methodology to quantify improvements across emission reductions, water storage and quality, biodiversity, ecosystem functions, community benefits, and wildfire prevention. "The new Peatland Standard recognises the environmental, economic, and societal benefits from reviving these vital ecosystems," said Dr Shane Mc Guinness of Peatland Finance Ireland. "Quantifying the benefits of carbon, biodiversity, and water enhancements will unlock financing for community restoration work, which is only possible when funding comes from a diverse and blended range of sources. It is encouraging to see businesses, alongside national and European public bodies, providing blended financing to support positive environmental impact." The development of the Standard has been supported by a €495,000 commitment from Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund, as well as the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and the Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF) of the European Investment Bank (EIB). "Peatlands are vital stores of carbon, but their degraded state means they currently release over two million tonnes of greenhouse gases every year," said John Boumphrey, Amazon's UK and Ireland Country Manager. "We're supporting the development of the Peatland Standard for Ireland because properly financing restoration projects can bring great benefits to both local communities and the broader environment." The Standard has been developed over the past 15 months and is now under public consultation with the expectation to go live early next year. It was developed by Peatland Finance Ireland, a not-for-profit supported by academic, not-for-profit, governmental, and semi-state bodies. The work of Peatland Finance Ireland aligns with Ireland's Climate Action Plan, which cites the potential of peatland restoration to reduce emissions through nature-based solutions. The certification will comply with international environmental principles and align with the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework. Independent third-party auditors, working to ISO standards, will validate and verify ecosystem improvement claims.

The Mak Jintan peat swamp forest in Terengganu is the last known virgin peat swamp in Peninsular Malaysia. Peatlands are essential ecosystems, teeming with biodiversity and playing a critical role in carbon storage and water regulation. So when plans emerged to convert the Mak Jintan peat swamp forest into an oil palm plantation, it sparked significant concern among scientists, conservationists, and even an industry regulator. We speak to Law Yao Hua, an environmental journalist and co-founder of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, about his recent investigations into this project, and we also explore the importance of these fragile ecosystems, and discuss sustainable ways to protect and manage them. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Clare organisation is set to receive crucial project funding under the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme The scheme is distributing €458,000 of funding between 36 local community groups and Ennistymon-based restoration charity Hometree is set to receive just under €60,000 for two of their projects.  Their Cnocán Bán Restoration Project aims to to restore thousands of acres of temperate rainforests and will receive €39,731 from the €59,678 provided.  Hometree Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project Manager Jessica Williams says state funding is crucial for the organisation and its projects.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Sliced: Peatlands in Carbon Markets In this edition of Sliced, we highlight peatlands as an important global ecosystem with significant potential for climate change mitigation and climate finance. Despite their massive potential, peatlands have received very little attention in carbon markets. -- Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance.  If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠.  Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com.  Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

(Jun 3, 2024) After former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in his hush money trial, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's office released a statement, then an updated one that amplifies her claims of corruption; the last scheduled week of the legislative session begins today. But there's still a lot of disconnect on remaining bills -including combatting climate change and regulating kids' social media feeds; and, we'll head into a buggy, boggy wetland at the Paul Smith's College VIC to talk with Charlie Reinertsen, founder of the Northern Peatlands Project.

Susan Daly talks with Noteworthy's Steven Fox and German reporter Swantje Furtak about the lack of preservation of bogs in Ireland and Germany. These were part of an extensive cross-border investigation with reporters based in Germany and Italy. Steven focused on actions by two State companies — Coillte and Bord na Móna — and looked at the planting of forestry and development of wind farms on our precious peatland. This comes as Ireland has just been referred by the European Commission to the European Court of Justice over the State's failure to halt industrial peat extraction.

Una Kelly, RTÉ Reporter and Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform

More details about title image -> Example of a peatlands restoration project in County Wicklow. The €600k rewetting initiative announced by Transport Research Arena will restore 100 hectares of degraded blanket bog in Wicklow Mountains National Park, in a collaboration bringing together TRA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Transport. The organisers of Transport Research Arena (TRA2024) have launched a €600,000 peatlands rewetting project in County Wicklow as preparations continue for the conference taking place in Dublin in April. TRA is the largest European event to address all aspects of transport and mobility and it is estimated that bringing it to Dublin will be worth €7 million to the Irish economy. Peatlands restoration scheme in Wicklow The rewetting initiative will restore 100 hectares of degraded blanket bog in Wicklow Mountains National Park, in a collaboration bringing together TRA2024, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Transport. Healthy peatlands are the most efficient, long-term and concentrated carbon stores and sinks in our planet's biosphere. One hectare of restored blanket bog avoids 10 tonnes of carbon loss per year, and with a lifetime of thousands of years it will carry on capturing carbon long into the future. Director of TRA2024 Dublin Dr Albert Daly says making a positive environmental impact is important to the organisers: "Hosting TRA2024 in Dublin is a fantastic opportunity and as an island nation, we are conscious that bringing people here contributes to the event's carbon footprint. This major Peatland Restoration project - which will prevent the release of nearly 1000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere annually for many years to come - serves as a reminder of the importance of developing low-carbon transport, which is one of the priorities at TRA2024". Dr Billy O'Keeffe, senior geologist/hydrogeologist at TII, who will lead the initiative, said: "This Wetlands Restoration Project harnesses the power of one of our greatest natural assets. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, healthy blanket bogs can improve water quality, prevent flooding and reduce the risk of drought and wildfires. They are also richly biodiverse, offering habitats for a massive array of plants, birds and insects." The TRA2024 Dublin event will run from 15 - 18 April and will discuss all modes of transport including road, rail, air, water and cross modality, in urban, inter-urban and rural settings. The importance of developing sustainable transport is a significant part of the event programme, while one of the four days is fully dedicated to discussing themes of decarbonisation and improving transport sustainability. Attendees at the event in the RDS will include two European Commissioners and three Director Generals, Government representatives from the EU, UK and US, and officials from leading global businesses including Google, Collins Aerospace, BMW, SNCF and Stena. Over 1,200 submissions from researchers around the globe have already been received and over 940 of these will be presented throughout the week in Dublin as researchers plot a way to a more sustainable transport future for the planet. TRA2024 is supported by the European Commission and the Irish Government. For more information and to register, please visit https://traconference.eu/ See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie ...

With the return of the El Niño weather pattern after a three-year hiatus, several Southeast Asian nations are preparing for the resurgence of the hazardous haze caused by peatland fires in Indonesia. Indonesia's 24 million hectares of tropical peatlands – the largest holding worldwide – support vital biodiversity and carbon storage. However, agricultural expansion and drainage for oil palm and pulpwood plantations pose severe threats to these ecosystems. These activities release vast amounts of greenhouse gases, and peat, once drained, is also highly combustible, emitting even more greenhouse gases if ignited. So how closely linked is the fate of the peatlands to global warming? And how can Indonesia balance its development needs while also protecting the environment and contributing to global climate goals? Experts on Indonesia's peatlands, Professor Daniel Murdiyarso and Dr Luba Volkova, examine the current state of Indonesia's peatlands and ongoing conservation efforts, in conversation with presenter Peter Clarke.An Asia Institute podcast.Produced and edited by profactual.com.Music by audionautix.com.

In this episode Clara looks at peatlands and why they are important. Then she moves onto talking about current research regarding peatlands (especially bogs and fens). Resources: https://peatlands.org/peatlands/https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/global-assessment-reveals-huge-potential-peatlands-climate-solutionhttps://www.climateneutralgroup.com/en/news/five-future-scenarios-ar6-ipcc/http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2014GB004845https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-12479-0#Sec4Mummified Bodies:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/five-fascinating-ice-age-finds-discovered-in-yukon-permafrost-180979521/https://www.bordnamonalivinghistory.ie/article-detail/archaeological-finds-in-the-peatlands-of-ireland/https://www.iflscience.com/bog-bodies-were-overwhelmingly-killed-by-violence-analysis-of-1000-bodies-finds-68080Seed Bank and KC Irving Centerhttps://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/research/seed-and-tissue-bank-programs/https://www.facebook.com/ECSmithHerbarium/Ducks Unlimited:https://www.ducks.ca/

Peat is big business and great for farming. But it's also an increasing climate problem. Because when taken out of wetlands and dried, it emits lots of CO2. While Germany is trying to limit use and production, demand to source it from other countries is increasing. Are there more sustainable methods? World in Progress talks to peat producers and experts to find out.

'A Vastness of Space' is a story about my trip to the Flow Country, a region of vast peatlands spanning Caithness and Sutherland. We travel through the area by car, by train, by bike and on foot, and learn about the fascinating ecology of a blanket bog. From its complex system of interlinked peat pools to a variety of birds and insects that call these moorlands their home.We also talk to Milly Revill-Hayward from the RSPB who - along with her colleagues - takes care of the Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve at the heart of the Flow Country.Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to the Flow Country and links to further reading about bogs.Check out my detailed travel guide for the Flow Country.Listen to our episode 'The Big Picture' to learn more about peat bog restoration.Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content.Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes.Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotlandAlso check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

(Jul 7, 2023) The Adirondacks are a prime location to study climate change because the region straddles ecological zones of the boreal north and places much further south. Adirondack ecologist Steve Langdon says peatlands are a special bellwether for climate change inside the Blue Line. Also: New York is putting the brakes on a proposal to sell legal marijuana at farmers markets.

This week on Coffee Table: Peatlands perseveration, beaver reintroduction and stream ecology on the Kenai Peninsula with guests from the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies.

This month, Bill and Steve visit Floating Fen, although some might call it a bog, or is it a swamp? Thankfully, they're joined by Erik Danielson, Stewardship Coordinator of the Western NY Land Conservancy (WNYLC), who schools them on the difference between these wetlands. Erik and the WNYLC are trying to preserve Floating Fen, a property home to a unique wetland, extraordinary life, and a diverse forest. Erik guides Bill and Steve through the fen, discussing just what makes a bog a bog and a fen a fen, as well as what makes these peatlands such amazing habitats.The episode was recorded on June 17, 2023 at the Floating Fen near Fredonia, NY.Episode Notes Please comment below if you notice any mistakes or unanswered questions in the episode.Links to the Western NY Land ConservancyVisit the website of the Western New York Land Conservancy to find out more about their vital conservation efforts.Find out more about the Floating Fen, including the efforts to preserve it.Explore the WNY Land Conservancy's Western New York Wildway, their ambitious new initiative to create an extensive series of protected lands that connect the vast forests of northern Pennsylvania to the Great Lakes, central NY, the Adirondacks, and beyond.Other Episode-related LinksA one-page primer on Conservation EasementsThe book that Erik mentioned was A Focus on Peatlands and Peat Mosses by Howard (not Viktor) Crum.The Wildlands Network - the group responsible for initially identifying the four “Continental Wildways” traversing the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, the Canadian Boreal Forest region, and the “Spine of the Continent” between Alaska and Mexico.Bill's article about Mike Radomski, Outside Chronicles, and the WNY Hiking ChallengeSponsors and Ways to Support UsGumleaf Boots, USA (free shipping for patrons)Thank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes! Support us on Patreon!Check out the Field Guides merch at our Teespring store. It's really a great deal: you get to pay us to turn your body into a billboard for the podcast!References / Works CitedBenyus, Janine 1989, A Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States, Touchstone Books, Chicago.The Conversation – Peatlands keep a lout of carbon out of Earth's Atmosphere, but that could end with warming and developmentWetland types: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/documents/types_of_wetlands.pdf

New York state has adopted a new law aimed at using federal funds to boost public power from renewables and shut down six polluting “peaker” gas power plants. Advocates say this will lower electricity rates and boost public health, environmental justice, and energy access. Also, peat that's burned for energy is a major emissions source in Finland, which aims to become net zero by 2035. Peat mining is also a leading cause of habitat loss in the country. The winner of the 2023 Goldman Environmental Prize for Europe joins us to share how life is flourishing in the peatlands he's helped restore. And as many as 13 percent of American households now keep chickens as pets and a cruelty-free source of fresh eggs. The author of the new book Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them joins us to share the joys of raising chickens. -- And thanks to our sponsor: Oregon State University. Find out more about how Oregon State is making a difference at leadership.oregonstate.edu/cic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah is the author of one of the shortlisted research articles for the Southwood Prize 2022, celebrating early career ecologists. Lydia Groves, publishing assistant for Journal of Applied Ecology, sits down with Sarah Schwieger to discuss the research article 'Rewetting prolongs root growing season in minerotrophic peatlands and mitigates negative drought effects'. Find the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14222

Any discussion of climate change must consider the role of peatlands. These water-soaked ecosystems comprised of decaying mosses and other plant matter cover a mere 3 percent of the earth's surface yet store more carbon than all of the world's forests. But a debate in Canada now pits the mining of minerals essential to renewable energy against protection of critical peatlands. To learn more, WCS Wild Audio checked in with Lorna Harris, a scientist and the program lead for WCS Canada's national program for Forests, Peatlands, and Climate Change.

On this week's episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap heads to Aberdeenshire to enjoy some local peated whisky - but what actually is peat and why are its uses so controversial?Peatlands, also known as bogs, are key in the UK's fight against climate change. Their spongy soil stores vast amounts of carbon and are a haven for biodiversity - but their commercial benefits are endless too from heating homes to flavouring famous Scottish whisky. As Scotland contemplates banning the digging and burning of peat, Tom hikes across some of the country's bogs to discover their wonders. He also visits a family run business who've been selling peat to locals for generations as well as a distillery who say they can restore more peat than they use for their tipple. Producer: Emma Rae WoodhouseEditors: Paul Stanworth and Philly Beaumont

The DEFRA programme to pilot a vaccine for cattle against Bovine Tuberculosis is about the enter its second stage. This will involve five farms with 600 cattle. The trial combines the BCG vaccine and the DIVA test, which shows clearly which cattle have been vaccinated and which have been challenged by the disease, and it's hoped both together could work to identify where the disease is and also protect cattle at risk. There's been a re-organisation of government departments. Grant Shapps is the new Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary; Michelle Donelan becomes the Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary. Both of those roles will have to liaise closely with DEFRA - on the future of land use for energy, and innovations including gene editing. All week we're taking a look at the future of our peatlands. In many parts of the country lowland peat is drained and used to grow vegetables and other crops but this degrades the peat and emits carbon. Farmers in Germany are developing something called ‘paludiculture', using re-wetted peat lands to grow water tolerant vegetation, which also has a market. A company called Wetland Products is growing bulrushes in water-covered peat and turning it into housing insulation, takeaway food packaging, and compost for commercial growers. Bulrushes and reeds also clean up the excess nutrients in the water where they grow. Also in the Fens, a group of farmers and scientists are working together to see if they can change the way farming food is done on peatlands. A collaboration called Fenland Soil has been set to try out new wetter farming techniques. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

A new study has found that small-scale burning of heather on peatlands can be beneficial to ground nesting birds, and the peat itself. The practice of burning heather has been controversial - it's sometimes supported by managers of grouse-shooting moorland, but opposed by many conservationists. The study will span 20 years and is now half way through. It compares three different management techniques - controlled burning, mowing, and no-management. We speak to Associate Professor Andreas Heinemeyer, from the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York who's led the research. Experts from the Wildlife Trusts however, say peatlands are vital for carbon capture, and bogs should not be managed for heather. They say heather's a sign of peatland that's dried out and the best way to manage them is to re-wet them. They don't want any burning of vegetation on peatland at all. All week we're looking at the fishing industry. Recruiting more UK workers is a problem for the sector. A new Fishers Apprenticeship hopes to attract more young people.The programme is a collaboration between the fishing industry and South Devon College, and is open for applicants right now. We speak to a fishing company in Brixham who are looking for apprentices and South Devon College who'll be teaching them. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The Congo peatlands in central Africa are the world's largest tropical peatlands complex, occupying an area of 65,000 square miles, about the size of the entire state of Florida. Peatlands represent a huge store of carbon and therefore are important to the stability of the climate. A study by scientists at the University of Leeds […]

We take a listen to how the climate crisis is affecting people's lives in different parts of Africa — from profound societal impacts in Maasai communities in Kenya, to the mental health challenges people are enduring in South Africa, to threatened tropical peatland ecosystems in the Cuvette Centrale basin in the DRC.

In episode three of this Natural Capital Series we are joined by Dr Emily Taylor to explore the very relevant and important topic of peatlands. Peatlands are a key part of the Scottish landscape covering over 20% of the land. Healthy peatlands are valuable carbon stores and provide many ecosystem services and benefits to people and nature. We discuss the importance and value of this natural capital resource, the various work that is ongoing to protect and restore peatland and what land managers can do to look after it. Dr Emily Taylor is a peatland specialist and leads the Crichton Carbon Centre, overseeing all of their projects. Emily has developed, and is delivering, the highly popular Peatland Action Restoration Events throughout Scotland. The Earth's soils, rocks, air, water, plants and animals are all valuable resources that provide a wide range of services and benefits. These resources need to be carefully managed and maintained to support a healthy functioning environment. In this Natural Capital podcast series, hosted by Rachel Smillie we will explore different natural capital assets and their value to Scottish agriculture and the rural economy, including the opportunities and risks for the future. Hosted by Rachel Smillie, produced by Iain Boyd, editor Ross Mackenzie, executive producer Kerry Hammond. Timestamps What is peatland? : 2:22 – 8:52 What is involved in peatland restoration? : 8:53 – 13:47 Peatland Action and The Peatland Code : 13:47 – 18:57 Ecosystem services and land use : 18:57 – 29:05 Advice to landowners and potential financial benefits : 30:58 – 34:17 Related FAS Resources Protecting Scotland's Peatlands - https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/protecting-scotlands-peatlands/ FAS TV S2 E11 - Peatland Restoration in Shetland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txdnXcOy8Eo FAS Sounds: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/ FAS Environment Pages: https://www.fas.scot/environment/ Other Related Resources Crichton Carbon Centre - https://www.carboncentre.org/ Peatland Action - https://www.nature.scot/climate-change/nature-based-solutions/peatland-action-project Peatland Code - https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/peatland-code/introduction-peatland-code How to assess the condition of peatland - https://www.nature.scot/doc/peatland-action-how-do-i-assess-condition-my-peatland Scotland's Forum on Natural Capital - https://naturalcapitalscotland.com/

Peatlands are great for the climate because they store huge amounts of carbon, but the majority of them were dried out for peat mining and agricultural purposes. Now peatlands are being rewetted by the very farmers who destroyed them.

Any discussion of climate change must consider the role of peatlands. These water-soaked ecosystems comprised of decaying mosses and other plant matter cover a mere 3 percent of the earth's surface yet store more carbon than all of the world's forests. But a debate in Canada now pits the mining of minerals essential to renewable energy against protection of critical peatlands. To learn more, WCS Wild Audio checked in with Lorna Harris, a scientist and the program lead for WCS Canada's national program for Forests, Peatlands, and Climate Change.

KAXE's Tuesday Morning Show strives to take an in-depth look at some natural resource-based issues important to our region. Producer Mark Jacobs and hosts Heidi Holtan and John Latimer hope to discuss not only the problems but also highlight some creative solutions.

New frog just dropped. Happy birthday to Finn and Oran this week! Have a great birthday, both of you! Further reading: Frog with tapir-like nose found in Amazon rainforest, thanks to its "beeping" call Meet the tapir frog: Looks kind of like the South American tapir, but frog: Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. This week we have a short episode about the recent discovery of a mystery frog in Peru--but first, we have TWO birthday shout-outs! That's twice the fun! Happy birthday to both Finn and Oran! I hope your birthdays are amazing! Maybe you should each have two birthday parties, one for yourself and one for the other, even though you don't know each other and your birthdays are actually on different days. Peru is a country in western South America, and it's home to the Amazon Basin rainforest and many other habitats. Frogs are common throughout the Amazon, naturally, since there's a whole lot of water and rain, and it's warm all the time. One particular genus of frog, Synapturanus, is especially widespread but is hard to find because it spends most of its time underground. A team of scientists researching the Amazon's diversity of animals and plants, especially those organisms that are mostly hidden for various reasons, heard about a particular Synapturanus frog known to the people of the area. The frog is nocturnal and lives underground in burrows it digs in the Amazon peatlands. Peat is wet soil made up mostly of partially decayed vegetation. It's the first step in the formation of coal beds, but the coal takes millions of years to form whereas peat only take thousands of years to form. Peatlands are really important to the ecological health of the entire earth, because they store so much carbon and absorb so much water. The scientists knew from locals that this particular frog existed. The next step was to actually find it so they could learn more about it. A small team of scientists from Peru and other countries traveled to the area, and local guides took them to sites where the frog was supposed to live. Because the frog is nocturnal, they had to go at night to find it. But because the frog also spends most of its time underground, they couldn't just walk around shining flashlights on frog-shaped things in hopes of finding a new species of frog. Instead, they had to listen. Many new frog species are only discovered after a frog expert hears a call they don't recognize. That was the case for this frog. The male makes a loud beeping noise, especially after rain. Whenever one of the scientists heard one, they'd immediately drop to the ground and start digging with their hands. I can't even imagine how muddy they must have gotten. It was around 2am on the last night of the search when their digging paid off. A little brown frog hopped out of its disturbed burrow and all the scientists scrambled around in an excited panic to catch it carefully before it got away. This is what the frog sounds like: [tapir frog beeping] The locals call the frog rana danta, which means tapir frog. The tapir, as you may remember from episodes 18 and 245, among others, is a sort of pig-shaped animal with a short trunk-like snoot called a proboscis. It's distantly related to rhinoceroses and horses. It uses its proboscis to gather plants and spends a lot of time underwater, and will even sink to the bottom of a pond or stream and walk across it on the bottom instead of swimming. The tapir most common around the Amazon in Peru is the South American tapir. It's dark brown in color with a tiny little stub of a tail and a shorter proboscis than other tapir species. Its proboscis looks less like a little trunk and more like a long pointy nose. The tapir frog is chocolate brown in color, has no tail of course because it's a frog, and while it has a chonky body sort of life a tapir, its nose draws out to a blunt point.

Today's good news: Therapy dogs significantly reduce er patients' perception of pain, and why the world's peatlands are worth saving. If you'd like to lend your voice to the Optimist Daily Update, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com. Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

Bogs are small but mighty - they may make up a small percentage of the Earth's surface, but they are powerful ecosystems that act as "carbon sinks." PhD student Peter Lebrocquy Cox from Dublin, Ireland shares a bit more about these fascinating environments and the research behind their rehabilitation. You may not immediately think of bogs when you think of climate change mitigation, but that's what we're here for! If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:"For the Love of Peat" by 99% Invisible podcast "Ultimate bogs: how saving peatlands could help save the planet" (news article)"Peatland Legacy: Saving Ireland's Peatlands" (video)And you can follow our guest Peter on Twitter here and the Smart Bog project on Twitter here!Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438