28 Feb Sphagnum Planting with Moors for the Future Partnership
In February, Ecologists from our Derbyshire office spent an enjoyable day on the moors in the Peak District National Park, volunteering with the Moors for the Future Partnership, assisting with important practical conservation work whilst learning more about moorland restoration.
The cold weather conditions including snow and fog didn’t dampen spirits, and fuelled by chocolate biscuits the team of volunteers planted over 4,500 sphagnum plug plants on Snailsden Moor. Sphagnum mosses are fundamental to the formation of new peat as they help to hold water on the hill for longer. This is vital for the restoration of moorland habitats and has many benefits, not just for nature conservation, but also for natural flood management, improving biodiversity and helping the moors become more resilient to wildfire. Five species of micro-propagated sphagnum moss, all characteristic species of the local area, were included in each plug. As each species has its own particular requirements, this maximises establishment success.
Alongside the sphagnum planting the team were able to learn more about how the moorlands are being restored and why it is important. Historic damage from atmospheric pollution released during the industrial revolution by the towns and cities that surround the Peak District National Park, amongst other factors, meant many areas of these peatlands were once the most degraded in Europe. Moors for the Future Partnership have been restoring these vital ecosystems for over twenty years, working with landowners to stabilise the peat and keep its store of carbon locked in the ground, raise the water table by slowing the flow of water off the uplands and plant native moorland species like sphagnum moss, crowberry, bilberry and cotton grasses.
Thank you to Moors for the Future Partnership and fellow volunteers for a very interesting day.
“The Moors for the Future staff gave us a great day in some challenging weather. It was very rewarding to see all the new sprigs of green across our planting area. We were able to ask the staff about their projects and the methods they apply on the moorland. We also saw some of last years’ plug planting that had grown and spread. A great success – I’d love to do it again!” Emily McVean, Senior Ecologist
“The volunteering day was a great opportunity to spend time with colleagues and learn more about peat forming sphagnum, our local Peak District moorland, and what Moors for the Future are doing in the area. Even though it was a cold and foggy day, it was fantastic to get stuck in with the sphagnum plug planting and to know that we have had a small hand in the peatland restoration project.” Sidney Vickress, Ecologist
“We really appreciate everyone who comes out and volunteers with us, as they play a really important part in the restoration of our precious peatlands, but we’d like to give an extra thank you to the team at BSG for helping us to plant sphagnum moss on a day that threw every kind of weather at us. We had fog, sleet, wind and rain as the team rallied together to help us plant sphagnum moss on Snailsden Moor. I hope the team will revisit the moor in the years to come to see what a positive impact their work will have.” Emma Shaw, Acting Moors for the Future Partnership Communications Programme Manager
