IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference 2026: Peatlands Under Pressure

TICKET SALES HAVE NOW CLOSED. 

View our Day 1 programme

Our annual conference series provides a valuable convening function for the peatland community to share knowledge, enthusiasm and experience and seek solutions to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. We bring together everyone with an interest in these unique and important habitats, from land managers, policy makers and businesses to restoration practitioners, creatives and scientists from the UK and beyond.

The theme of our 2026 conference is ‘Peatlands Under Pressure’ and we’ll be exploring the challenges peatlands face from development, intensive land management and a changing climate, as well as the opportunities presented by scaling up nature-based solutions to environmental pressures.

The conference takes us to Swansea University’s Bay Campus in South Wales, a beautiful location with its own beach, seafront promenade and on-site accommodation, and the perfect base from which to explore the peatlands of south Wales. Over three days, there will be plenary sessions, workshops, topic deep dives and field visits bringing together research, policy and practice. Alongside this diverse programme, there will be additional opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, with dedicated poster sessions and networking events, and an exhibition area throughout the event.

To make our conferences as inclusive and accessible as we can, we’re using a hybrid format, with remote attendance available for our plenary sessions on 9 June. 

Aerial View of Swansea University Bay Campus

What to expect

• ~400 delegates at this year’s event. Delegates will be able to join online on 9 June and in-person for the entire event or individual days.
• Exhibition and networking opportunities at our evening poster session and meal on 9 June, our evening conference dinner on 10 June, and throughout the event.
• Visits to locally important peatland sites on 10 June, including options from a range of peatland habitats, and experience of different management and restoration techniques first-hand in a beautiful landscape.
• Deep-dives into a range of themed topics at our workshop and knowledge-sharing sessions on 11 June.
  
  

Sunny view across Waun Figyn by David Reed

Programme outline

Tuesday 9 June

• Plenary sessions sharing the work of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, progress towards national peatland strategy in Wales and the challenges peatlands face from development and land management pressures.
• The return of our 'Peatland Cinema' featuring short films to intrigue and inspire.
• Evening meal and poster session featuring contributions from across the peatland community, alongside our dedicated exhibition space for partners and sponsors.

Wednesday 10 June

• Choose from a variety of field trip options to local peatland sites, featuring different peatland habitats, management and restoration techniques and introducing a range of organisations involved in peatland management. Lunch and transport will be provided from the main conference venue and delegates will be required to select field trips in advance on a first come, first served basis. Field trip bookings will be released in May.
• Conference dinner, networking and evening entertainment.

Thursday 11 June

• Morning and afternoon topic deep dives across a range of themes. Delegates will be required to select workshops in advance on a first come, first served basis and workshop bookings will be released in the spring.
• Plenary session reflecting on findings from the conference and the future for peatlands.

Welsh peatland by Joey Pickard

Terms and conditions

Full three day tickets include all refreshments and lunches across the three days, as well as an evening meal on days 1 and 2. Day 1 tickets include refreshments, lunch and an evening meal. Day 2 tickets include refreshments, a packed lunch and the conference dinner. Day 3 tickets include refreshments and lunch only. 

Travel and accommodation are not included in the ticket price. On-campus accommodation bookings have now closed but there are plenty of accommodation options in the nearby area. Visit our dedicated webpage for further information on conference travel and accommodation.

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Event recording & photography disclaimer

By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Photography and videography: Photographs and video recordings will be taken throughout the event for documentation, promotional, and marketing purposes.
• Session recording: Certain sessions may be audio and/or video recorded. These recordings may be shared publicly or used internally by the organisers.
• Use of images and recordings: Your image, voice, and likeness may appear in these materials without further notice or compensation.

If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event organisers upon arrival and make yourself known to the photographer/videographer.

Refund policy

We will offer full refunds up to 60 days before the conference minus transaction fees. No refunds will be available after this time, but you may transfer your ticket to a new name until 1 May 2026.

When Peat Speaks: A Boggy Gassy Bubbly Ensemble, (part one featuring Benedict Taylor) by Miranda Whall, photos by Ashley Calvert, 2025

Header image by LIFEquake