Restoration in Action
Across Canada, the Peat industry is actively engaged in science-based restoration efforts that return extracted peatlands to functioning ecosystems. Restoration is not only a core industry commitment - it is also a legal requirement under Canadian regulations. Using proven methods like the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT), developed through decades of collaboration with leading researchers, these projects demonstrate how innovation, responsibility, and compliance come together in the field.
Explore examples of restoration in practice:
Chemin-du-Lac Peatland
The peatland is located in Québec, near the Saint Lawrence River, within the municipality of Rivière-du-Loup. Covering an area of 225 hectares, the site was actively extracted for Peat, with operations beginning in 1965. Restoration within the site began in the early 2000s, marking the transition toward ecological recovery. Restoration efforts were carried out over a 30-year period, from 1995 to today, aiming to rehabilitate the peatland ecosystem following decades of extraction.
As of June 2025, 175 hectares of the peatland have been restored using a variety of rewetting techniques and the Moss Layer Transfer Method, which helps re-establish sphagnum moss growth. An additional 33 hectares are scheduled for restoration in the near future. In one section of the site where sphagnum moss was unlikely to thrive, a lake was created to support biodiversity and enhance habitat variety. Furthermore, certain areas have been improved for educational and recreational purposes through the installation of wooden sidewalks and interpretative panels, allowing visitors to learn about peatland ecosystems.
Restoration activities in 1999.
The lake in 2002, 3 years after restoration.
The lake in 2010, 11 years after restoration.
Pitcher Plant Garden, 26 years after restoration.
Caribou Peatland
The peatland is located in southeastern Manitoba, near the border with Ontario. Covering a total area of 1,125 hectares, 258 hectares of the site are currently closed. Peat extraction operations began in 1987 with restoration efforts commencing in 2007 and continuing today.
Peatland restoration efforts have been concentrated mainly in the eastern section of the bog, where Peat extraction operations originally began. The Moss Layer Transfer Technique, a widely recognized method for re-establishing sphagnum moss cover, has been employed to accelerate ecological recovery. In addition to standard restoration practices, various experiments led by the Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) have been conducted on-site to refine and improve restoration outcomes. As of June 2025, a total of 243 hectares have been successfully restored, with an additional 27 hectares scheduled for rehabilitation in the near future.
Caribou peatland site before restoration.
Caribou peatland 12 years after restoration.
Caribou peatland 18 years after restoration.
Wandering River Peatland
The Wandering River peatland is located in the Boreal Forest region of northern Alberta. The Wandering River Field A covers approximately 7 hectares of the Wandering River peatland site and was under Peat extraction from 1997 to 2006. Restoration activities were carried out in 2008 and 2009.
To restore the area to a functioning peatland ecosystem, the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT) was used. The Peat surface was profiled, and the drainage ditches were completely blocked. Donor material was collected from an undisturbed nearby bog peatland and spread over the restoration area at a ratio of 1:10. Subsequently, straw was spread over the donor material, and granular rock phosphate fertilizer was applied. Long-term monitoring of the area by the PERG is ongoing to assess restoration success, including vegetation surveys, hydrological measurements, and carbon flux analyses.
Wandering River Field A Peat extraction site prior to restoration
Wandering River Field A, spreading donor material over the restoration area using a manure spreader
Wandering River Field A, spreading straw bales to cover the donor material
Wandering River Field A, Fifteen years after restoration, in an area with more trees
Wandering River Field A, Fifteen years after restoration, in an open area
Seba Beach Peatland
The Seba Beach peatland is located in the Boreal Forest region of west-central Alberta. A section of the peatland (Field A), covering 31 hectares, was under Peat extraction until 2006. Restoration activities were carried out in 2012 and 2013 using the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT).
The Peat surface was reprofiled, and the ditches were completely blocked. Donor material was collected from an undisturbed area of nearby and spread over the area at a ratio of 1:10. Subsequently, straw was spread over the donor material, and granular rock phosphate fertilizer was applied. Long-term monitoring of the area by the Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) is ongoing to assess restoration success, including vegetation surveys, hydrological measurements, and carbon flux analyses.
Field A spreading of donor plant material over the area with a manure spreader (as part of the MLTT)
Field A spreading of straw bales over the donor material
Field A restored site, Eleven years after restoration
Donor material site for Field A, Eleven years after the collection of donor material for restoration purposes
Elma Peatland
The Elma peatland is located within the Boreal Shield Ecozone of southeastern Manitoba. The Elma North field covers approximately 8 hectares and was under Peat extraction until 2013. Restoration activities were carried out in 2015 and 2016.
The restoration method chosen was aimed at establishing hydrological conditions typical of a fen ecosystem. To begin restoration, the area was reprofiled to flatten the surface and to fill all drainage ditches. A checkerboard pattern of bunds was created across the area to retain water and limit erosion caused by wind and water. Each “cell” of the checkerboard measured 9 metres x 9 metres, and each bund was compacted to a height of approximately 30 centimetres. Guano rock phosphate fertilizer was applied to one-half of the restoration area to test its effect on vegetation establishment. The margin of the restoration area was re-sloped to improve connectivity with the adjacent ecosystem, with crescent-shaped bunds created to maximize water retention. Black spruce trees were planted and fertilized on one section of the margin.
Elma North Field, construction of bunds in a checkerboard style across the site to maximize water retention
Elma North Field, six years after restoration
Paxson Peatland
The peatland is located in Alberta, north of Edmonton and southeast of the town of Athabasca. It spans an area of 166 hectares. Peat extraction began in 1988 and continued until the site was closed in 2010. Restoration activities were subsequently carried out, with a full rewetting in 2013 and sowing of sphagnum and trees in 2016.
Peatland restoration efforts on this site began with rewetting. A dual restoration strategy was implemented: the lower part of the bog was restored using the Moss Layer Transfer Method on 74 hectares to promote sphagnum moss reestablishment, while the remaining 92 hectares of drier, higher areas were reforested with Black Spruce, the native tree species that originally dominated the site prior to Peat extraction. This successful adaptive measure was developed as initial plant recovery was limited in the beginning, this early phase provided valuable insights that helped guide future actions. A major challenge was maintaining a stable water table, especially in the higher areas. The influence of nearby agricultural drainage networks significantly lowered groundwater levels.
The main highlight of this restoration project is the innovative and successful restoration of former access roads. A trench was excavated in the Peat immediately adjacent to the road. The woody material used as corduroy was de-compacted and spread within the trench and existing road areas. The excavated Peat was used to cover and level the area. This marks the first known instance of the road inversion technique that has led to successful ecological recovery.
Drainage pattern closed and remodeled for rewetting in 2013.
Deep ripping for road reclamation.
8 years after restoration.