Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG)
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is an academic research group at Université Laval, founded in 1992, that develops the Moss Layer Transfer Technique and other restoration methodologies for degraded peatlands, serving the Canadian horticultural peat industry, academic researchers, and government environmental agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersQuebec City, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) does
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG), legally known as Groupe de recherche en écologie des tourbières (GRET), is an academic research group operating within Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada, founded in 1992 by Line Rochefort. The group's mission is to develop knowledge on peatlands, wetlands, and their ecological restoration to guide societal choices regarding responsible management through education and research. PERG's core offering is the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT), an 8-step proprietary restoration methodology developed in collaboration with the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA) for restoring Sphagnum-dominated peatlands after horticultural extraction; MLTT has been applied across North America, South America, Japan, Australia, and Europe. Supporting outputs include the foundational Quinty & Rochefort Peatland Restoration Guide, 726 total publications, the Sphagnum farming research program, the Wetland Mitigation Bibliography (over 1,200 documents), and Ramsar Policy Brief No. 5.
PERG does not operate a commercial business model. Revenue (in the form of research funding) flows from NSERC grants, the Partnership Research Chair funded by CSPMA and member companies (Sun Gro Horticulture, Premier Horticulture, ASB Greenworld, Aurora Peat Products, and others), and project-specific partnerships with Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Government of Manitoba, and Premier Tech. The group serves three primary segments: the academic research community (153 graduates and current students), the Canadian peat horticultural industry seeking sustainable extraction and restoration practices, and government environmental agencies requiring expertise in wetland protection and climate mitigation. The go-to-market is event-driven, centered on the annual Peatland Science Symposium (31st edition in 2026), biennial technology transfer workshops, and the Écho tourbières newsletter, with technical outputs disseminated through academic publications rather than commercial distribution channels.
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG)
- Legal name
- Groupe de recherche en écologie des tourbières (GRET)
- Website
- https://gret-perg.ulaval.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is an academic research group at Université Laval, founded in 1992, that develops the Moss Layer Transfer Technique and other restoration methodologies for degraded peatlands, serving the Canadian horticultural peat industry, academic researchers, and government environmental agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Research Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (11531)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Site Assessment, Planning & Permitting (Reforestation Plans) (AFAMACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reclamation (Cleanup for Reuse, Risk-Based Closure) (EUAIALAI), Forest Residue & Slash Recovery for Biomass (AFAMAGAC)
Keywords
Where Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Quebec City
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Research Funding and Grants: NSERC Alliance Grant 'Nature-based solutions: Restoration of peatlands for biodiversity recovery and climate change mitigation' with cash investment of nearly $2.8 million, involving Ducks Unlimited Canada and Government of Manitoba.
- Partnership Research Chair Funding: Five-year Partnership Research Chair in Ecosystem Restoration funded by Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA) and member companies, plus additional companies including Sun Gro Horticulture Ltd, Premier Horticulture Ltd, and others.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PERG develops and transfers peatland restoration methodologies, with the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT) as its flagship approach, supporting the recovery of Sphagnum-dominated bogs after horticultural peat extraction. The group delivers applied research, field protocols, training, and post-restoration monitoring services to industry partners, government agencies, and academic collaborators. Its work spans donor-site selection, plant fragment transfer, hydrological rehabilitation, and long-term ecological monitoring of restored sites.
Product overview
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is an academic research group at Université Laval (Quebec, Canada) founded in 1992, focused on developing knowledge about peatlands, wetlands, and their ecological restoration. Rather than commercial technology products, PERG's offerings consist of scientifically-validated restoration methodologies (notably the Moss Layer Transfer Technique), technical publications and guides, research resources including annotated bibliographies, and policy briefs. Their core offering is the MLTT—an 8-step restoration protocol for Sphagnum-dominated peatlands—which is complemented by supporting resources such as the Peatland Restoration Guide, Sphagnum farming research programs, and specialized bibliographies. These research outputs guide industry and government stakeholders in responsible peatland management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT) Restoration Methodology Proprietary peatland restoration methodology developed and continuously refined by PERG, used to restore harvested Sphagnum-dominated bogs to functional ecosystems. Includes donor-site identification, plant fragment transfer, hydrological rehabilitation, and post-restoration monitoring protocols. Sold/licensed to peat harvesting companies and conservation agencies.
- Applied Peatland Research Services Contract and grant-based research services covering peatland ecology, hydrology, carbon dynamics, and biodiversity assessment for industry partners and government agencies.
- Sphagnum Cultivation Research Research and field protocols for Sphagnum biomass cultivation, supporting sustainable growing media production and peatland conservation.
- Peatland Restoration Training and Workshops Hands-on training and workshops covering the MLTT methodology, Sphagnum cultivation, and post-restoration monitoring, delivered to industry practitioners and government staff.
Quantifiable outcome
- Moss Layer Transfer Technique now applied in North America, South America, Japan, Australia, and Europe
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG)
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Can-PeatcoreAnnual joint Peatland Science Symposium co-organized since 1994, marking the 31st edition in 2026. Joint research collaboration on peatland science and carbon dynamics with University of Waterloo.
- Université LavalcoreHome institution providing the Envirotron Pavilion headquarters and administrative support for PERG. Co-organizer of symposium venue hosting.
- Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA)coreFive-year Partnership Research Chair in Ecosystem Restoration created with CSPMA and its member companies including Theriault and Hachey Peat Moss Ltd, ASB Greenworld Ltd, Aurora Peat Products ULC, and others. The chair advances ecological restoration research for peatlands, agricultural peatlands, and northern sites.
- Ducks Unlimited CanadacoreNSERC Alliance Grant partner for the research program 'Nature-based solutions: Restoration of peatlands for biodiversity recovery and climate change mitigation' with additional funding partnership.
- Government of ManitobacoreNSERC Alliance Grant co-funder for peatland restoration research program alongside Ducks Unlimited Canada.
- Premier Tech Producteurs et ConsommateurscoreSaturn Project collaboration studying the effects of the new acrotelm harvesting method developed by Premier Tech on vegetation preservation, wildlife, peat decomposition, and carbon stock protection.
- University of Eastern FinlandminorInternational research collaboration since early 2000s with Professor Eeva-Stiina Tuittila (postdoctoral fellow in Line Rochefort's lab 2001-2002). Collaboration recognized through honorary doctorate for Line Rochefort.
- Bangor University (UK)minorInternational collaboration on Saturn Project with doctoral student Takara Simpson Jenkins and research professional Dan Aberg assessing soil enzymatic activity after acrotelm harvesting.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ducks Unlimited Canada: Co-funder of PERG's NSERC Alliance Grant and direct partner on peatland restoration projects in Canada. Ducks Unlimited Canada operates the same habitat restoration mission at a larger scale, making it the closest programmatic peer in Canadian wetland restoration.
- Can-Peat (University of Waterloo): Canadian peatland research consortium led by Maria Strack at the University of Waterloo; co-organizes the annual symposium with PERG. Directly comparable as a peatland science peer in Canada with complementary expertise in carbon dynamics.
- Moors for the Future Partnership: UK-based partnership that restores degraded blanket bog peatlands using techniques directly comparable to MLTT. Operates as a research-to-implementation organization with industry and government funding, paralleling PERG's industry-academic model.
- Greifswald Mire Centre: German research centre specializing in peatland conservation, rewetting, and restoration science. Comparable to PERG in its scientific mission, publication output, and global policy engagement on peatlands.
- IUCN UK Peatland Programme: Coordinates peatland science, policy, and restoration across the UK; conducts research and convenes stakeholders analogous to PERG. Directly comparable as a peatland-focused convening and research body with cross-border influence.
Broad incumbents
- Sun Gro Horticulture: Major North American peat-based horticultural substrate producer and CSPMA member contributing to PERG's Partnership Research Chair. Comparable as a peat industry incumbent funding restoration science to sustain its license to operate.
- Premier Tech: Industry partner on PERG's Saturn Project studying acrotelm harvesting. A global leader in Sphagnum-based growing media, making it the most commercially significant peer bridging horticulture and peatland science.
Regional players
- Yorkshire Peat Partnership: Restores degraded peatlands across northern England using methods parallel to MLTT. Functions as a regional implementation and research arm, comparable to PERG's applied restoration projects in Quebec.
Emerging players
- Bangor University (School of Natural Sciences): UK university collaborating with PERG on the Saturn Project, contributing doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. Comparable as an international peatland research collaborator with overlapping faculty expertise.
- University of Eastern Finland (Peatland and Forest Ecology research): Long-standing collaborator with PERG (Eeva-Stiina Tuittila was a postdoc in Rochefort's lab). Comparable as a European academic peatland research group with overlapping methods and a strong publication record.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) social profiles
Digital presencePeatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG)
What does Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) do?
PERG develops and transfers peatland restoration methodologies, with the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT) as its flagship approach, supporting the recovery of Sphagnum-dominated bogs after horticultural peat extraction. The group delivers applied research, field protocols, training, and post-restoration monitoring services to industry partners, government agencies, and academic collaborators. Its work spans donor-site selection, plant fragment transfer, hydrological rehabilitation, and long-term ecological monitoring of restored sites.
Is Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) a public or private company?
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) founded?
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) was founded in 1992. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) based?
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is headquartered in Quebec City, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Research Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are partnership Research Chair Funding.
Who are Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ducks Unlimited Canada, Can-Peat (University of Waterloo), Moors for the Future Partnership, Greifswald Mire Centre and IUCN UK Peatland Programme. Broad incumbents are Sun Gro Horticulture and Premier Tech. Yorkshire Peat Partnership is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Bangor University (School of Natural Sciences) and University of Eastern Finland (Peatland and Forest Ecology research).
Does Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG).
What industry is Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) in?
Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG)'s product category is Environmental Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAMACAC, Site Assessment, Planning & Permitting (Reforestation Plans), with a secondary code of EUAIALAI, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reclamation (Cleanup for Reuse, Risk-Based Closure). Its NAICS code is 11531 and its SIC code is 800.