South West Peatland Partnership

What South West Peatland Partnership does

South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP) is a collaborative partnership, rather than a commercial entity, that restores degraded peatlands across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor in South West England. Founded in 2020 to consolidate earlier Exmoor restoration trials dating to the late 1990s, SWPP coordinates hydrological restoration work - blocking drainage ditches, repairing erosion gullies, and raising water tables - delivered by specialist contractors using low ground pressure tracked excavators and natural materials such as peat, untreated timber and heather bales. Its service portfolio spans restoration delivery, environmental monitoring (hydrology, biodiversity, greenhouse gas fluxes), historic environment protection through an unusually large in-house team of three Historic Environment Officers using LIDAR and ground-truthing, education and community engagement programmes, and research and advisory work with academic partners including the University of Exeter and University of Plymouth.

SWPP operates a grant-funded, non-commercial model. Core funding flows from Defra's Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme administered by Natural England, supplemented by South West Water, the Duchy of Cornwall, the Environment Agency and the National Trust, with in-kind support from over 20 partner organisations. Staff are employed via three host organisations (South West Water, Dartmoor National Park Authority, National Trust) rather than directly by SWPP. The partnership serves government and regulatory bodies seeking to meet climate and biodiversity targets, landowners, farmers and commoners who require support for sustainable land management, and volunteers and citizens engaged through citizen science and education programmes. SWPP has restored over 5,000 hectares of peatland cumulatively and is targeting 2,634 hectares by 2025.

Name

South West Peatland Partnership

Legal name

South West Peatland Partnership

Website

https://southwestpeatlandpartnership.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The South West Peatland Partnership is a non-commercial partnership that restores degraded peatlands across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor through hydrological rewetting, funded primarily by Defra's Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme and delivered for government bodies, landowners, farmers and commoners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Restoration Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

akta.pro primary industry

Wetlands, Peatlands & Mangrove Restoration (Blue Carbon Restoration) (EUABABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Grassland/Rangeland Management & Restoration (EUABABAF)

Keywords

• Peatland restoration services
• Hydrological rewetting projects
• Environmental conservation partnerships
• Habitat monitoring programs
• Carbon sequestration initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Okehampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme (NCPGS) administered by Natural England (Defra), supplemented by contributions from South West Water, Duchy of Cornwall, Environment Agency, and National Trust
2. In-Kind Support: Support in kind from partner organisations including staff hosting, expertise, and resources

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The South West Peatland Partnership restores degraded peatlands across Cornwall, Dartmoor, and Exmoor through hydrological rewetting techniques including ditch blocking, erosion gully remediation, and water table management. The partnership delivers integrated services spanning restoration planning and implementation, environmental monitoring, historic environment protection, research, education and community engagement, and advisory support to landowners and farmers. Services are delivered via commissioned specialist contractors using low ground pressure machinery and are funded primarily through government grants and partner contributions.

Product overview

The South West Peatland Partnership is a conservation collaboration, not a technology company, offering peatland restoration as its core service. Their integrated service portfolio includes restoration planning and implementation, environmental monitoring programs, historic environment protection, education and engagement, research publications, and landowner support. These services work together as a holistic approach to restore degraded peatlands across Cornwall, Dartmoor, and Exmoor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Peatland Restoration Services Scientific restoration and rewetting of degraded peatlands through blocking drainage features, erosion control, and hydrological management across Cornwall, Dartmoor, and Exmoor. Delivered via commissioned specialist contractors using low ground pressure tracked excavators and rewetting methodologies with natural materials (peat, untreated timber, wooden planks, heather bales, stone). For government agencies, conservation charities, and landowners seeking carbon storage, flood management, and habitat restoration outcomes.
• Monitoring and Assessment Programmes Comprehensive environmental monitoring including hydrology, vegetation surveys, biodiversity assessments, greenhouse gas measurements, and water quality analysis to track restoration progress across Dartmoor, Exmoor, and Cornwall. Includes Digitanimal GPS-tracking livestock collars to assess grazing impacts. For funders, partners, and researchers requiring evidence of restoration outcomes.
• Historic Environment Protection Service Archaeological preservation and heritage protection integrated into restoration planning, including LIDAR analysis, site surveys, and artifact management during restoration works. Delivered through an in-house team of three Historic Environment Officers—an unusual capability in the peatland restoration sector. For restoration partners and regulators concerned with heritage compliance.
• Education and Community Engagement Programme Public education programmes, school visits, volunteer opportunities (over 100 volunteers engaged year-round), and community workshops to raise awareness about peatland importance and conservation. Includes events like 'Brilliant Bogs and Archaeology' afternoons, dragonfly walks, and vegetation survey days. For community stakeholders and educational audiences.
• Research and Advisory Services Scientific research publications (including the 'Mires on the Moors' report with University of Exeter), case studies, and expert consultation on peatland ecology, restoration techniques, and climate adaptation strategies. Conducted with academic partners including University of Exeter (CREWW) and University of Plymouth. For researchers, policymakers, and partner organisations.
• Landowner and Farmer Advisory Support Advisory services for landowners, farmers, and commoners on grazing management, agri-environment funding streams, and collaborative restoration planning. Delivered by SWPP's Farm Officer (Eve Grayson) and Project Officers working closely with landowners, tenants, and the Dartmoor Commoners' Council. For farmers and landowners seeking sustainable land management support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dragonfly species count increased from 4 to 12 at Chetsford Water, Exmoor following restoration works
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Natural EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body administering Defra's Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme (NCPGS), primary funder of SWPP restoration work. Provides regulatory guidance and funding for peatland restoration across the South West.
• South West WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater utility company providing additional funding and hosting SWPP staff. Works on water quality improvement through peatland restoration in catchments.
• Duchy of CornwallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandowner providing funding and hosting restoration works on Dartmoor. Prince William is associated with Duchy of Cornwall land management.
• Environment AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency providing funding and expertise for water management and environmental restoration aspects of peatland work.
• National TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation charity hosting staff, providing funding, and hosting restoration works particularly on Exmoor at properties including Holnicote Estate and Alderman's Barrow Allotment.
• Dartmoor National Park AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic body hosting SWPP staff and providing regulatory oversight for restoration works within Dartmoor National Park.
• Cornwall CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority providing support for peatland restoration work in Cornwall, including West Penwith area.
• Cornwall National LandscapesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAONB partnership supporting restoration work in West Cornwall protected landscapes.
• University of ExetercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner conducting research including the 'Mires on the Moors' science and evidence report, hydrology studies, and carbon flux monitoring through Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW).
• University of PlymouthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner including research on vegetation change following hydrological restoration of blanket mire.
• RSPBsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation charity partner conducting bird surveys and involved in habitat management for wildlife on peatlands.
• Cornwall Wildlife TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal wildlife conservation charity supporting peatland restoration in Cornwall.
• Historic EnglandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body providing guidance on historic environment and archaeological protection during restoration works.
• Exmoor National Park AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic body supporting peatland restoration work on Exmoor, building on early restoration trials from the late 1990s.
• South West Lakes TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity managing inland waterways and reservoirs in South West, involved in Bodmin Moor restoration work.
• Westcountry Rivers TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental charity working on water quality and river restoration across the South West.
• Woodland TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation charity providing wood materials from restoration projects for use in peatland restoration structures.
• Dartmoor Commoners' CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatutory body representing commoners on Dartmoor, ensuring grazing interests are considered in restoration planning.
• Forest of Dartmoor Commoners AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation representing commoners in the Forest of Dartmoor area, involved in access and grazing management discussions.
• Ministry of DefencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department with land holdings on Dartmoor where restoration work takes place, with challenges including unexploded ordnance.
• Dartmoor Preservation AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity dedicated to preserving Dartmoor's landscape and environment.
• Dartmoor SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociety representing Dartmoor's communities and interests in the national park.
• Exmoor SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociety supporting conservation and community interests on Exmoor.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Plantlife: UK wild plant conservation charity with active peatland restoration programmes including on Dartmoor and Exmoor. Comparable niche overlap (peatland restoration + species/habitat recovery) but broader botanical remit and policy advocacy role.

Regional players

• Westcountry Rivers Trust: Regional environmental charity working on river and catchment restoration across the South West. Already a partner of SWPP; comparable regional footprint and overlapping water-quality/wetland restoration mission.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts: Umbrella body for 46 local Wildlife Trusts, several of which (e.g. Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust) partner with or operate alongside SWPP on peatland work. Broad incumbent in the conservation/restoration ecosystem.
• Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT): Wetland conservation charity operating wetland centres and conducting restoration. Broadly incumbent in wetland/peatland restoration space with deep conservation credentials and larger institutional scale.
• IUCN UK Peatland Programme: UK-wide coordination body for peatland conservation, restoration and research. Sets cross-cutting policy, hosts the UK Peatland Evidence Database, and convenes the sector - broadly incumbent relative to SWPP's regional delivery focus.

Direct peers

• Pennine PeatLAnd Partnership: Large-scale peatland restoration programme covering the North Pennines AONB. Comparable partnership governance, similar multi-funder structure, and shared focus on upland blanket bog rewetting.
• Yorkshire Peat Partnership: Northern England peatland restoration partnership covering the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and surrounding moorlands. Directly comparable model with NCPGS-funded hydrological restoration across upland peat landscapes.
• Fens Peat Partnership: Partnership restoring lowland peat in the East Anglian Fens. Directly comparable NCPGS-funded model, with a different peatland type (lowland farmed peat vs SWPP's upland blanket bog) but the same restoration and rewetting mandate.
• Moors for the Future Partnership: Partnership restoring degraded blanket bog in the Peak District, South Pennines, and Dark Peak. Closest structural peer to SWPP - same partnership model, same Defra/NCPGS funding streams, same rewetting/ditch-blocking techniques, and a similar academic research partnership model.
• Cumbria Connect (Cumbria Peat Partnership): Peatland restoration partnership in Cumbria covering the Lake District and surrounding moorlands. Same partnership approach, same NCPGS-aligned delivery model, and similar mix of contractor-based restoration and community engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=t3VCDaHLfok
• Instagraminstagram.com/southwestpeatlandpartnership
• Facebookfacebook.com/southwestpeatlandpartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swpeatland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about South West Peatland Partnership