First Paludiculture Symposium

This hybrid event is aimed at anyone interested in paludiculture but particularly farmers and land managers whose landholding includes lowland peat. Its objective is to support the design and development of novel, productive and more sustainable wetter farming systems. A site visit to the Harper Adams University Paludiculture Innovation Project site will provide an opportunity to share our progress and to discuss the barriers encountered so far.

Paludiculture Symposium

Wednesday 13th September 2023

Harper Adams University, Edmond, Newport, TF10 8NB, Shropshire.

8.30 Networking, tea & coffee.

9:00  LEAF Marque Standard

Elle Vercoe-Gibson, LEAF Certification Manager.

9:30  Farming carbon: an alternative to farming sheep?

Dr Chris Field, Manchester Metropolitan University.

10:00 Exploring potential for Paludiculture on a lowland estate

Wojtek Behnke, Aqualate Catchment Group.

10:30  Peat management at a landscape-scale

Dave Cragg, Peat for the Planet Coordinator, Natural England.

Coffee 10:30 – 11:00

11:00  Farmer-led ecosystem restoration in Ireland

Derek McLoughlin, Wild Atlantic Nature.

11:30  Paludiculture-a stepping stone to Net Zero?

Dr Simon Jeffery, Harper Adams University.

12:00 What is the problem with peat?

Scott Kirby, Harper Adams University.

12:30  Long term findings from the Traffic & Tillage project

Dr Paula Misiewicz, Harper Adams University.

13:00  UK Peatland Code, private finance now for upland and lowland peat.

Renee Kerkvliet-Hermans, IUCN Peatland Code.

13:30-14:30 Lunch & networking

14:30  Farm walk to Paludiculture Innovation Project site, Adeney Yard,

Harper Adams Future Farm

17:00  Drinks reception & networking

18:00 Welcome: Deputy Vice Chancellor Michael Lee

            Guest speaker: Judith Stuart (DEFRA).