Peatbog funding

SCOTTISH Natural Heritage is seeking applications to a £1.7 million fund to help restore peatland.

The government’s environment agency said the scheme aimed to reduce carbon emissions from damaged and degraded peat bogs.

The Green Stimulus Peatland Restoration Project runs until 2015 and targets areas where it can make a significant difference to the state of raised, as well as blanket peat bog.

SNH said that the two million hectares of Scottish peat lands were in a relatively poor condition, releasing carbon rather than storing it.

The carbon stored in Scotland’s soils (notably peat and peaty soil) is equivalent to more than 180 years of greenhouse gas emissions at current emission rates.

Speaking on World Environment Day on Wednesday, environment minister Paul Wheelhouse said Scotland’s peat lands were internationally important.

“Restoring peat-forming habitats which have been drained or damaged will help ensure that these peat lands and bogs, rather than becoming sources of greenhouse gases as they can be when deteriorating, are returned to good condition and to being vital carbon sinks locking in many millions of tonnes of CO2 and other damaging gases,” he said.

The next deadline for applications is 28 June, with a further call deadline for the 4 October 2013.

More information can be found here.