Fens East Peat Discovery Project

Lakenheath Fen. Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

Fens East Peat Partnership

Fens East Peat Partnership (FEPP)

The Fens East Peat Partnership (FEPP) is working on restoring peatland sites in low-lying areas of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep carbon locked in, benefitting the environment, people and wildlife.

Fens East Peatlands – an urgent problem

99% of Fens East precious once waterlogged peatlands have been damaged by drainage for agriculture, urbanisation and by peat extraction. The peat has become dry and exposed to the elements, and instead of storing and taking up carbon, it is emitted into the atmosphere as CO2. Lowland peat areas are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The damage causes the loss of specialised native species, rich vegetation cover and peat forming ecosystems and the remaining fragmented peatlands are vulnerable.

Urgent measures are needed to address this situation. The vast stores of carbon in our healthy peatlands need long-term management. Carefully managed and monitored peatland restoration work will eventually lead to the capture of more carbon and more places for wildlife to thrive.

Wicken Fen (c) Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

A group of common cranes bugling (c) Nick Upton/2020VISION

Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

What does the Fens East Peat Partnership do?

FEPP delivered a successful Nature for Climate Peatland Discovery Grant between January 2022 and August 2023 which enabled us to carry out detailed surveys on the extent of degradation, peat depth and archaeology on 20 sites across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. With this information and working with landowners and farmers, we developed restoration plans for the sites to restore the damaged peat.

In September 2023 The Fens East Peat Partnership was awarded a Nature for Climate Restoration Grant to undertake the restoration work on sixteen of the sites we began work on in the Discovery Grant period.

The restoration work will take place between now and March 2025. Work includes securing the sites hydrologically to manage water levels within the site and to ensure surrounding land is not impacted by the changes. As the sites are restored, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced and Fen peatland biodiversity will begin to develop and increase.

Resources for schools

We've created activity booklets for primary and secondary age children to help them to understand the importance of peat. From learning more about the carbon cycle, to finding out about the wildlife that calls peatlands its home. Our facts, activities and quizzes have been made to inspire children of all ages.

Click the buttons below to download your activity booklet for free.

Fantastic Peat - Primary

Amazing Peatlands - Secondary

Why are peatlands important?

Wildlife havens

As temperatures rise and weather extremes occur more frequently, the peatland habitats will provide havens of shelter, food and breeding sites for species, helping to improve and sustain the rich biodiversity of the Fens.

A natural solution to dealing with climate change

Healthy peatlands no longer emit large quantities of greenhouse gases and become carbon stores. They also have a cooling effect, helping to reduce temperatures.

Natural flood management

Peatlands can help to store flood water and slow the flow of water across the area.

Improving water quality

Peatlands and their habitats are natural water filters, helping to clean water meaning less energy and cost is required by water companies to treat water.

Archaeology

Waterlogged peat conserves archaeology, the Fens are home to internationally famous finds and sites. For example, the bronze age sites of Flag Fen and Must Farm.

Paleoenvironment

By studying the history of the soils and geology of the area we can learn what has happened in the past and apply this knowledge to help us find ways to adapt and manage the effects of climate change.