A Resource Guide to Western Canada's Peatlands

We’ve assembled a list of resources for Western Canada’s peatlands. To suggest additions, contact us at ecofriendlywest@gmail.com

Canadian Organizations

Canada Peatland Data Portal [Can-Peat]

National Peatland Policy Project [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

For Peat’s Sake: Protecting Northern Saskatchewan Muskegs [For Peat’s Sake]

International Organizations

IUCN UK Peatland Programme [IUCN National Committee UK Peatland Programme]

European Peatlands Initiative [European Peatlands Initiative]

UN Environment Programme Peatlands Research [UN Environment Programme]

Global Peatlands Initiative [Global Peatlands Initiative]

Reports

Assessing Peatland Law and Policy Across Canada: Is Canada Fulfilling Its Critical Stewardship Role? [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

The National Peatland Strategy: A Proposed Strategy for the Protection, Restoration, and Long-Term Stewardship of Peatlands in Canada [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

The National Peatland Strategy: Implementation opportunities for Manitoba [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

The National Peatland Strategy: Implementation opportunities for Saskatchewan [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

The National Peatland Strategy: Implementation opportunities for Alberta [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

The National Peatland Strategy: Implementation opportunities for British Columbia [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

Integrating Peatlands into Climate Policy [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

Books

Bogland: The Secret World That Defies Death and Protects Life, Merritt Turetsky [W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.]

Peatlands: A Journey Between Land and Water, Alys Fowler [Hachette UK]

Articles

The need to re-peat: Restoring Alberta’s vital muskeg [The Tyee]

Seismic lines from fossil exploration nearly triple methane emissions in Alberta peatlands [The Energy Mix]

Burning soil and peat drove most emissions in Canada’s record 2023 wildfire season [McMaster News]

Beyond the forests: Peatlands as overlooked carbon stores in coastal British Columbia [Scientific Reports]

Defending sacred muskeg: Woodland Cree Nation fights peat mining approvals [Ecojustice]

Conservation group proposes peatland strategy, fighting to prevent peat mining in northern Sask. [CBC]

The land that stores nearly a third of the world’s carbon [Undark]

It’s time for the UK to show global leadership in peatland restoration [The Wildlife Trusts]

Sphagnum mosses and their key role in nature [ARK Rewilding Nederland]

Book review: Swamplands, Tundra Beavers, Quaking Bogs, and the Improbable World of Peat by Edward Struzik [EcoFriendly West]

Orchids of Western Canada [EcoFriendly West]

Gardening

Peat-free options [For Peat’s Sake]

Applied research project looks at peat replacements for horticulture and gardening [Tech Life Today]

Peat and peat alternatives [Gardening at USask]

Peat and coir: A Toronto Master Gardeners garden guide [Toronto Master Gardeners]

Peatlands

Hudson Bay Lowland [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

Peatland Distribution in Alberta [Alberta Energy Regulator]

Taiga Plains, Alberta, BC, NT [CPAWS Northern Alberta]

Northern Peatlands in Canada: Storymap [Wildlife Conservation Society Canada]

Visit a Wetland

Here are just a few of the places where you can explore and learn more about Western Canada’s wetlands.

Alberta

Explore Wetlands in Alberta [Ducks Unlimited]

John E. Poole Interpretive Wetland Centre, St. Albert [Ducks Unlimited]

Elizabeth Hall Wetlands, Lethbridge [City of Lethbridge]

Wagner Natural Area, between Edmonton and Spruce Grove [Wagner Natural Area]

British Columbia

Explore Wetlands in British Columbia [Ducks Unlimited]

Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area [Explore Creston Valley]

Shorepine Bog Trail, Tofino [Tofino Hiking & BC Nature]

Rithet’s Bog, Saanich [Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society]

Manitoba

Explore Wetlands in Manitoba [Ducks Unlimited]

Oak Hammock Marsh Wetland Discovery Centre, Winnipeg [Ducks Unlimited Canada & Islands]

Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail (cedar bog) [Brokenhead Wetlands]

Saskatchewan

Explore Wetlands in Saskatchewan [Ducks Unlimited]

Boundary Bog Trail, Prince Albert National Park [Photo Journeys with Robin & Arlene Karpan]

Fen Trail, Duck Mountain Provincial Park [Saskatchewan News Network & Must Do Canada]

Foam Lake Heritage Marsh, Foam Lake [Tourism Saskatchewan]

Nicolle Flats Marsh Boardwalk Interpretive Trails, Buffalo Pound Provincial Park [Tourism Saskatchewan]

Ravine Ecological Preserve, Yorkton [Tourism Saskatchewan]

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/43880433495 (Columbia River Wetlands)

EcoFriendly West informs and encourages initiatives that support Western Canada’s natural environment through its online publication and the Nature Companion website/app. Like us on Facebook, follow us on BlueSky, X, and Mastodon, or subscribe by email.