Sign in Subscribe
Natural resources

Swansea Council Secures Funding to Restore Valuable Peatland in Swansea

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Swansea Council has been successful in securing £24,000 through the National Peatland Action Programme to restore valuable peatland at Garth Farm, a council-owned site near Ynystawe. This funding will enable the Council's Nature Recovery Team to work alongside external partners to conduct a series of studies, including hydrological studies, peat depth analysis, and designing a restoration plan over the next twelve months. The three-hectare peatland site, designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), is degrading and requires a long-term plan to restore it and prevent carbon emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Peatland Action Programme has provided funding to Swansea Council to restore valuable peatland at Garth Farm, a council-owned site near Ynystawe.
  • The funding will be used to complete a range of studies, including hydrological studies, peat depth analysis, and designing a restoration plan, which will be conducted over the next twelve months.
  • Garth Farm is a three-hectare peatland site designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and is degrading, requiring a long-term plan to restore it and prevent carbon emissions.
  • Around 80% of peatlands in the UK are suffering from degradation, potentially releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
  • Peatlands are considered some of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on the planet and, when healthy, provide huge benefits, including capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, preventing flooding, and creating important habitats for wildlife.
  • The Garth Farm project is part of Wales Peatland Action, a response to the Climate and Nature emergencies, funded through the National Peatland Action Programme and Natural Resources Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government.
  • The funding success also follows previous work carried out by the Surrey Council's Nature Recovery Team, which has rolled out a range of projects linked to the Welsh Government's Local Places for Nature programme, investing over £1 million in developing various projects that help create new habitats for wildlife in urban areas.

Statistics:

  • £24,000 funding secured through the National Peatland Action Programme to restore valuable peatland at Garth Farm.
  • 80% of peatlands in the UK are suffering from degradation, potentially releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
  • £1 million invested by the Surrey Council's Nature Recovery Team in developing various projects linked to the Welsh Government's Local Places for Nature programme over the last two years.
  • Over 1,000 bird and bat boxes installed in residential areas through the Local Places for Nature programme.
  • Six new community orchards created through the Local Places for Nature programme.

Sources:

  • Swansea Council press release.
  • National Peatland Action Programme.
  • Natural Resources Wales.
  • Welsh Government.
  • Local Places for Nature programme.

Read more