Blanket Peatland Restoration - Sligo

The aim of this short course is to provide students with the skills required to undertake a peatland restoration project. Students will learn the key scientific principles in blanket peatland ecosystems, to allow an understanding of how to apply appropriate restoration techniques and develop peatland restoration projects. This programme will provide skills to those interested in conservation management and restoration of Natura 2000 sites.



Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technical skills will be taught as part of this course.



Who Should Apply?

The Certificate in Blanket Peatland Restoration is aimed at private and public bodies who are stakeholders in peatland management, postgraduate students in environmental science, ecology, geography, or sustainability disciplines as well as mid to senior level professionals in consultancy, environmental policy, or land management. This course directly addresses global and national sustainability challenges and prepares participants for leadership roles in environmental restoration.

Candidates must hold a cognate Level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent.

Application Closing Date 14th August 2026

1 semester, part-time, blended.



Recommended Study Hours per week

2.5 hour lecture supplemented by 8-10 hours of self directed learning per week.



On-Campus Attendance Requirement

A mandatory, lecturer-led, workshop will take place in the second half of the module at the ATU Sligo campus. The workshop will include an on-campus GIS workshop, as well as a site visit to an impacted blanket peatland site.



The site visit will show the students active restoration techniques being applied in the field and the efficacy of these techniques. Students will also collect data in the field for use in their individual restoration plan assignment.

Start Date September 2026

Progression

A range of further study options are available to graduates of this programme, including ATU’s Masters and Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Protection.