Peat-Fest South-West: Celebrating Bogs, Mosses and Connections

After months of creative workshops, podcasts, performances, field visits and community events, Peat-Fest South-West has drawn to a close. But while the Festival may be over, its impact is still rippling across the region.

Young people on Dartmoor with Peat-Fest South-West. Credit Art and Energy, Peat-Fest South-West (Jim Wileman)

Bringing together Peatland Partnerships, artists, young people, land managers and local communities in Cornwall, Dartmoor, Somerset, Exmoor and Dorset, Peat-Fest South-West was all about helping people discover the hidden world beneath their feet and why peatlands matter.

For Naomi Wright, Director, Art and Energy, the Festival's roots go back much further than the project itself.

"We started by looking at mosses and then realised how important they are in the development of peatlands and carbon storage", she explains. "We got excited by peatlands being this amazing place that's part land, part water, and full of sphagnum moss."

What began as conversations about mosses evolved into a region-wide celebration of peatlands, creativity and climate action. Along the way, communities planted sphagnum moss, explored landscapes, created artwork, wrote songs, recorded podcasts and discovered new ways of connecting with nature.

One of the biggest successes was reaching young people through creative activities.

"The youngsters that we did reach, we made a massive impact on", says Naomi. "They were interested, appreciative, wanting to do more and wanting to express it creatively."

Cat Andrews saw that impact first-hand.

"Peat-Fest South-West appealed to different types of young people", she says. "Some came because they already loved wildlife. Others were drawn in by creativity. Somehow Peat-Fest worked for both."

Launching the Peat-Fest South-West Manifesto with our Peatland Partnership colleagues from across the South-West region. Credit Art and Energy, Peat-Fest South-West (Jim Wileman)

Across the South West, every location brought something unique. Somerset created an experimental bog garden at Avalon Marshes, giving visitors a chance to experience a peatland landscape without trekking out onto the bog. Dorset connected with everyone from young songwriters to seaside visitors in Swanage who had never thought about the peatlands hidden just inland. Exmoor focused on green skills and inspiring young people to imagine futures working in the landscapes where they live. Cornwall brought together archaeology, peatland restoration and local history, creating conversations across generations. Dartmoor blended storytelling with practical conservation, encouraging young rangers to think differently about the landscapes they help care for.

Another highlight was the festival's digital legacy. Bogcasts (podcasts), broadcasts and films captured voices from across the region, meaning the conversations continue long after the final event.

"One of my highlights was seeing that each Bogcast had its own story, but they all linked together", says Cat. “They captured all sorts of voices, and I think they'll be a real lasting legacy."

Naomi agrees.

"I'm really proud of them", she says. "The different themes told a story of peatlands but also brought together so many different voices from the people involved."

Perhaps one of the biggest achievements wasn't any single event, but the relationships built along the way.

Partners travelled across the region to attend launches, workshops and the finale event, meeting colleagues and communities they might never otherwise have encountered.

"We really succeeded in getting people to leave their patch" says Cat. "The Dorset team came to Cornwall, the Dartmoor team came to Plymouth, and people got to see different peatland landscapes and share ideas."

So what's next?

Art and Energy shared their learning at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference in Swansea, exploring how creativity can help people connect with landscapes and inspire action. And while the project itself may be ending, many of the partnerships, friendships and ideas are only just beginning.

As Naomi puts it: "We'll definitely build on the work we've been doing with peatlands. There's still so much to do."

For now, the Bogcasts are still being listened to, the conversations are still happening, and across the South West, more people know that these quiet, mossy landscapes are some of the most important habitats we have.

Not bad for a festival about bogs. 🌿

With grateful thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for supporting Peat-Fest South-West.