A pioneering project led by Hafren Dyfrdwy and RSPB Cymru to restore peatlands at Lake Vyrnwy has won a prestigious national award.

The scheme has been ongoing since 2018 and focuses on rejuvenating Lake Vyrnwy's blanket bog into fully functional ecosystems.

Blanket bogs are a type of peatland found in only a handful of places around the globe with cool, wet climates.

The hard work of the two organisations was recognised, with the project clinching the victory in the Large-scale Practical Nature Conservation Project category at the CIEEM Awards 2024.

These awards applaud achievements in ecology and environmental management, celebrating the best in the field.

The duo have utilised the latest science techniques related to peatland restoration in their work, striving to decrease carbon emissions from the landscape, and as a result helping to tackle the climate crisis.

The  Lake Vyrnwy project has been recognised   (Image: Hafren Dyfrdwy)

In a statement, a representative from Hafren Dyfrdwy said: "Our collaboration with RSPB Cymru has seen a huge amount of time and hard work go into the project, so to see it be officially recognised with this national award is absolutely incredible."

They continued to explain the wider environmental impacts of the project, adding: "As well as acting as huge carbon sinks, locking away carbon, healthy peatlands improve habitat and water quality, support natural flood management and improve biodiversity."

The Hafren Dyfrdwy spokesperson also said: "There is much more to do with the project, but we will continue to work together to establish a healthy and resilient peatland ecosystem."

Expressing his delight at the accolade, Alun Prichard, director of RSPB Cymru, said "We're delighted to receive such an accolade for our peatland restoration work at Lake Vyrnwy.

"Wales’ peatlands are precious places, supporting rare and unique communities of plants and animals whilst also storing vast quantities of carbon.

"But historic peat extraction, overgrazing and drainage have left them degraded, which leads to carbon being released and a loss of wildlife."

He went on to highlight the significance of peatlands in Wales and why their restoration is crucial.

He said: "That’s why with around 3% of Wales’ total peatland existing at Lake Vyrnwy, these collaborative projects are essential in tackling the nature and climate emergencies we face enabling the decades-long process of returning our blanket bogs to carbon fixing, wildlife-rich habitats and being able to use and upskill local contractors in the process is something we're very proud of being able to do."

The programme is centred on land within RSPB’s farm business tenancy at Lake Vyrnwy including neighbouring freehold land.

It features more than 1,500 hectares of degraded blanket bog across six large upland blocks.

Restoration plans for four upland areas have been agreed upon and work is underway.

So far, nearly 1,000 hectares of blanket bog have been restored.

For more information about Lake Vyrnwy projects and activities, you can visit www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/lake-vyrnwy or www.hdcymru.co.uk/our-visitor-sites/lake-vyrnwy.