Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has celebrated the launch of a significant €19.2 million environmental project aimed at restoring vital peatland habitats across the border counties.

The PEAT+ initiative, officially unveiled on World Wetlands Day at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, holds particular importance for the region due to the internationally significant landscapes within the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark.

Led by the nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife and funded through the SEUPB-managed PEACEPLUS programme, the project involves a massive collaborative effort. Partner organisations include Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, several other local councils, and academic bodies such as Atlantic Technological University Donegal.

Over the next three years, the project will implement large-scale restoration across 19 priority sites. Currently, it is estimated that 80% of Irish peatlands are in a degraded state, acting as a source of carbon emissions rather than a sink. By re-wetting and restoring these bogs, the project aims to improve water quality, mitigate flood risks, and recover threatened species like the large heath butterfly and golden plover. Councillor Barry McElduff, Chairperson of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, welcomed the investment: "Fermanagh and Omagh District is home to some of Ireland's most distinctive and precious peatland landscapes. The Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark is a case in point, a gem in our midst. The Sperrins AONB is another and there are plenty more. As a project partner, we warmly welcome the launch of the PEAT+ initiative and the significant investment it represents for conserving these vital habitats."

The launch event was attended by high-level representatives, including DAERA Minister Andrew Muir and SEUPB CEO Gina McIntyre.

Minister Muir highlighted the strategic importance of the work: "The PEAT+ programme provides a unique opportunity for collaboration between landowners, project partners, and statutory agencies across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This partnership approach will not only enable effective delivery of peatland restoration but also foster lasting legacy relationships to support future initiatives."

Ulster Wildlife CEO Dawn Miskelly added that the investment in the natural environment is an "investment in all our shared futures," providing long-term benefits for local wildlife, communities, and the economy.