Irish Action Site Cuilcagh- Anierin Uplands SAC Socio-Economic Study: Results of interviews with farmers and wider stakeholders regarding attitudes to the peatland landscape, farming and restoration

This report explores the socio-cultural dimensions of land management and farmers' attitudes and potential to engage with peatland restoration and agri-environmental schemes in the Cuilcagh-Anierin Uplands Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Ireland. The study was conducted as part of orizon project, which partnered with LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature (WAN) and the NPWS to support upland blanket bog restoration in this ‘Action Site’. Situated in a region characterised by High Nature Value farming (HNVf)systems, mainly of upland commonage, the study addresses the interaction between ecological restoration and traditional farming practices. The research was guided by the following research questions: 1) Can we align farmers' inherent cultural values, and their attachment to land and landscape, with ecological restoration? 2) How can we engage with farmers and key stakeholders to determine where these values converge for the benefit of sustainable farming and the restoration of the peatlands?