Join in the celebration and discover what’s so special about peat. The packed programme includes family fun with craft and muddy outdoor activities at the Ramsey Heights nature reserve, and peatland trails and guided walks exploring Woodwalton Fen, Wicken Fen, Chippenham Fen and High Fen Wildland. 

You can find the online guide to all the events on our Celebrating Fen Peatlands page. 

There’s the opportunity to meet archaeologists and handle the ancient remains of plants and invertebrates from the peat at Wicken Fen Learning Centre, and young visitors can enjoy activities to 'discover the dirt' and the creatures that live in it. Go birdwatching with a ranger at RSPB Lakenheath Fen and hear about the return of cranes to Willow Tree Fen after an absence of 400 years. The Ouse Washes and marshland nature reserves of Norfolk are also great places to see wetland wildlife. World Peatlands Day on Monday 2 June falls in the middle of this two-week celebration.

Jo Finlow, FEPP Project Manager said:
“These events are a celebration of our lowland peat in the Fens and the work that has been done over the past two years to bring back healthy peat ecosystems.”

Ellis Selway, National Trust Peatland Project Manager said:
“This is a great opportunity to get hands on with peat and see the wildlife it supports. In a changing climate, peat can help us store carbon and provide the diverse habitats which makes places like Wicken Fen so special.”

Peatlands are wetlands that lock vast amounts of carbon away in the wet soil playing a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate, and they are vital habitats for biodiversity, providing homes for rare birds and plants. They also act as natural sponges soaking up water which reduces the risk of flooding, and the waterlogged conditions preserve unique archaeological evidence of people who lived thousands of years ago.