The International Peatland Society (IPS) is an organisation of individual, corporate and institutional members dedicated to the responsible management and Wise Use of peatlands and peat.

Currently the IPS has 1,073 members from 37 countries (1 Jan 2026). Of these, 731 are individual members, supported by 192 corporate members, 68 students, 36 honorary members (NC + IPS), 23 research institutes and universities, 16 governmental institutes, and 7 NGOs. They are mostly organised in the 14 National Committees (NC) and three Commissions plus numerous Expert Groups with different activities related to peat and peatlands, mires, bogs, fens and tropical peat swamp forest. You are welcome to join!

Raison d’être (reason for being)

Continuous and urgent need for factual, scientific and technical information on peatlands and peat from a transboundary perspective.

Vision

To continue to be the leading international organisation promoting the responsible management and wise use of peatlands and peat and providing a platform for unbiased information exchange.

Mission

To acquire, assess, exchange and communicate knowledge and experience on peatlands and peat, by means of events, publications and projects which address key issues, in particular climate change, food security, biodiversity, and restoration.

Background

The IPS was established in 1968. It is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation registered in Finland with headquarters in Jyväskylä. The Annual Assembly of National Representatives is the ultimate decision-making body. The Society is managed by an Executive Board of elected members, supported by a Secretariat consisting of a Secretary General and the Scientific Officer.

What we do

The International Peatland Society (IPS) serves the broad needs of peatland and peat stakeholders worldwide, representing scientific, commercial and social interests.

It has endeavoured to acquire, present and exchange verifiable information on their extent, importance and use by facilitating dialogue and debate.

The IPS combines the strength of its members, partners and stakeholders, bringing together peatland scientists, universities and research centres, non-profit organisations and representatives of the peat and substrate industry, governments, regulators, consumers of peat and peatland enthusiasts in its publications, and at meetings.

IPS Flyer 2023
IPS Strategy 2024-2028
NGO Business Plan & Strategy 2020-2024

IPS Statutes (2025)
IPS Internal Regulations (2025)