Clean water protections
The lakes, rivers and streams in our National Parks are under threat like never before, we explain the issues facing waterways and our work to end water pollution.
Peatlands are areas of land with a naturally accumulated layer of peat formed by waterlogging from a mix of partly decomposed plant materials over thousands of years. There are three main types of peatland in the UK:
- Blanket bogs – extensive areas where peat has accumulated to varying depths and ‘blankets’ the ground. These are usually found in the uplands, often in areas which have been used for livestock grazing for thousands of years and which in some cases are now used for grouse shooting.
- Raised bogs – discrete isolated areas of deep peat, often several metres higher than the surrounding landscape, found mainly in lowland areas which are now largely used for agriculture.
- Fens – areas of low, flat marshland or former marshland, found primarily in northwest Wales and the east of England.
The National Parks contain a high proportion of the total areas of peatland: in England around 38% and in Wales 40%. Across all the National Parks around a third of the land area is made up of peatlands of one type or another.
Peatlands on fire
The climate crisis is exacerbating wildfires in our National Parks and we've already seen catastrophic burning across peatlands this year.
Wet peatlands don't burn. Rewetting and restoration of all types of peatlands in our National Parks must be a priority but major consecutive budget cuts are inhibiting National Park Authorities from vital restoration work.
Write to your MP and demand the stop the cuts.
