Improving resilience of Ilkley Moor to climate change
Works began in 2024 to deliver environmental and social benefits through peatland restoration on Ilkley Moor
In 2023–24 volunteers planted 25,000 sphagnum plug plants.
A project between Bradford Metropolitan Council, Rebel Restoration and Moors for the Future Partnership
The project will:
- prevent carbon loss
- enhance ecosystems and biodiversity
- improve water quality
- provide resilience to wildfire
- provide natural flood management
- protect the historic environment
- give opportunities for people to connect with nature
The project will do this by:
- Identifying where restoration can be implemented
- Establishing a baseline evidence dataset for hydrology, biodiversity and carbon
- Implementing restoration measures
- Monitoring and evidencing restoration measures
- Connecting people with nature through a series of engagement activities and media
Between 2023–24 volunteer sphagnum planting days, sponsored by Rebel Restoration and delivering 25,000 plug plants. Moors for the Future Partnership provided assistance on habitat management
In August 2024, work began on the following restoration measures:
- Gully blocking with stone, timber, coir and heather dams
- Heather cutting
- Sphagnum planting
- Management on access routes
- Tree planting
- Sitka Spruce clearance
- Bracken management
Alongside these measures, there will be a programme of monitoring work to assess the benefits of the work undertaken, including sphagnum monitoring sponsored by Rebel Restoration.
In 2025 Moors for the Future Partnership will undertake public engagement events with the Bogtastic van and youth engagement visits.
From 2025 and beyond, ongoing maintenance will continue, including heather management, management on access routes and bracken management