15 October 2015Jyväskylä, Finland1 International Peat Society a non-governmental and non-profit organisation of scientific, industrial and regulatory members

20 April 2023 Jyväskylä, Finland 1

International Peat Society

a non-governmental and non-profit organisation of scientific, industrial

and regulatory members for all aspects of peatlands and peat


Membership

• about 1,400 members from 29 countries

• platform to benefit both science and industry

• 19 National Committees, of which 15 in Europe, 2 in North America and 2 in South-East Asia

• largest membership base in Finland and Germany

• major work carried out by 10 Commissions open to all members

• financed by annual contributions from National Committees and industrial organisations


Vision and Mission

The International Peat Society (IPS) is a non-governmental, non-profit multidisciplinary organisation of scientific, industrial and regulatory

members both individual and institutional.

Vision

The vision of the IPS is to be the authoritative international organisation on all aspects of peatlands and peat.

Mission

The mission of the IPS is to bring people and organisations together to foster the advancement, exchange and communication of scientific, technical and social knowledge and understanding

for the wise use of peatlands and peat.


Organisation

NEW: Comm IX: Tropical Peatlands

Comm X: Peatlands and Climate Change

NEW: Malaysia


Executive Board

• PresidentDonal Clarke, Ireland

• 1st Vice PresidentBjörn Hånell, Sweden

• 2nd Vice PresidentPaul Short, Canada

Ordinary Board members

• Jutta Zeitz, Germany

• Satu Helynen, Finland

• Erki Niitlaan, Estonia

• Lech Szajdak, Poland

• Valerijs Kozlovs, Latvia

Honorary President

• R. A. Robertson, United Kingdom


Strategic Goals

• Research and Development - To promote research into peatlands, peat and their use, including both conservation and non-use, and to disseminate the information obtained.

• Responsibility to Members - To assist its members through communication regarding education, research and advocacy in matters related to the members’ business, scientific and environmental activities.

• Public policy - To cooperate with governmental, intergovernmental, and international organisations and to provide them with science-based information relevant to policies directly or indirectly affecting peatlands and peat and their use.

• Communications and Public Relations - To communicate pro-actively within IPS membership and beyond, providing information on the role of peatlands and peat in the environment and the economy, and their wise use.

• Partnerships - To work proactively through partnership, networking and cooperation.


Membership Benefits

• strong cooperation with other players of the same field

• communication and information exchange with experts on peat and peatlands from both science and industry

• latest news and background knowledge available via IPS publications

• access to special events, publications, statistics etc.

• informing decision makers and the public within a broader scope

• building international and local networks


Tools and Projects

• Responsible Peatland Management Strategy 2010• Book Peatlands and Climate Change 2008• Book and DVD Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands• Peatlands International 2x annually,

printed magazine• monthly e-mail newsletter Peat News• congresses, symposia and workshops• proceedings and other publications• collection and distribution of statistics• Peat Dictionary• discussion forum and facebook page• ad hoc campaigns


Events 2000 - 2010

International Peat Congresses (since 1954)

• 2000 Quebec, Canada ”Sustaining our Peatlands”• 2004 Tampere, Finland ”Wise Use of Peatlands”• 2008 Tullamore, Ireland ”After Wise Use - The Future of Peatlands”• 2012 Stockholm, Sweden ”Peatlands in Balance”• 2016 Kuching, Malaysia

Symposia, workshops and other events

• Annual Meetings and Excursions in 10 different countries• 1997 - 2010 Peat in Horticulture symposia in Pärnu, Amsterdam, Angers • 2009 - 2010 Responsible Peatland Management workshops in Helsinki,

Amsterdam, Belfast, Brussels and Jyväskylä• 2010 Seminars on Peat Technology and After-Use in Jyväskylä

Additionally regular conferences, workshops, excursions and other events ofCommissions and National Committees.


IPS Secretariat

Tasks

• administration• information centre for members and

non-members• library of IPS and related publications• organisation of IPS conferences,

meetings and excursions• project work

Staff

Mr. Jaakko Silpola, M.Sc. Agr. For.

Secretary General

e-mail: [email protected]

Ms. Susann Warnecke, Dipl. Kfm. (FH)

Communications Manager

e-mail: [email protected]

Contact details

IPS SecretariatVapaudenkatu 12FIN-40100 Jyväskylä, Finlandphone: +358 14 3385 440fax: +358 14 3385 410web: www.peatsociety.org

Documents

15 October 2015Jyväskylä, Finland1 International Peat Society a non-governmental and non-profit organisation of scientific, industrial and regulatory members