Lake Vyrnwy Peatland Restoration Team

The Lake Vyrnwy Peatland Restoration Team is delivering one of Wales’s largest peatland restoration projects with strategic significance for water supply and habitat recovery in Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The diverse team comprises local staff from RSPB Cymru, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Owen Environmental, and RG Evans and includes project managers, surveyors, ecologists and agricultural contractors, all highly skilled and united in their commitment to environmental restoration. Their work addresses urgent challenges related to biodiversity loss, climate impact and resilience, and water catchment management by restoring over 1,500 hectares of blanket bog (upland peatland) in the Lake Vyrnwy area. By restoring degraded peatlands, they prevent carbon release and enhance habitats for rare bird species, such as the Hen Harrier and Golden Plover.

Furthermore, their work improves water quality by naturally filtering water and reducing sedimentation. The restoration efforts also provide flood attenuation, mitigating flood risks by capturing and gradually releasing rainfall.

In the long term, the team aims to achieve naturally functioning peatland ecosystems, where the water table remains close to the surface throughout the year, and the habitats are fully restored, creating a landscape that sequesters carbon, supports enhanced biodiversity, and provides resilience against climate change.

The Lake Vyrnwy Peatland Restoration Team’s achievements are underpinned by their commitment to scientific excellence and adaptive management. Through monitoring vegetation, hydrology, and biodiversity, they ensure the project’s effectiveness and provide valuable data that reinforces the peatland’s role in carbon capture and ecological resilience. This robust monitoring approach is essential for maintaining the restoration’s ecological gains over time, guaranteeing the team’s impact is sustained for decades to come.