Visitors to the Peak District National Park will be doing their bit to help combat climate change by heading off the beaten track to plant vital sphagnum moss on the majestic moors in a new hands-on ‘build a bog’ experience.
On an exclusive guided walk with Moors for the Future Partnership, visitors will learn how the moors, or ‘peatlands’ play a very special role in everyone’s life and the huge benefits they bring, including for water quality, carbon storage, and wildlife.
While enjoying the stunning scenery of the National Park, visitors will do their own bit of restoration work as they plant sphagnum moss to help heal the landscape and ensure its future for generations to come. It was in a bad way due to the legacy of industrial pollution from surrounding towns and cities. The pollution from the factories landed on the delicate moors above and killed everything off, leaving nothing but bare peat.
In the UK, peatlands store more carbon than any other habitat, so it’s really important that we look after them. Sphagnum moss plays a vital role in helping the peat to store carbon.
Joe Margetts will be leading the experience and has worked in the Peak District at Moors for the Future Partnership for the last 5 years. During his time he’s helped to monitor the conditions of the upland peat landscape, as well as leading many guided walks across these beautiful places.
Joe says: “I’m a keen naturalist who has studied environmental conservation, and will be able to help visitors spot some of the animals and plants which inhabit this fascinating and unusual habitat. I can’t wait to take the first group of this new experience on to the moor!”
The Moors for the Future Partnership has been working since 2003 to protect our precious peatlands. Using innovative conservation techniques it has transformed over 32 sq km of degraded peat in the Peak District National Park and South Pennines moors.
Visitors will be guided up on to Black Hill where they will walk amongst this now green and pleasant land.
This new outdoor experience is bookable on Airbnb for £40 per person. Check Airbnb for dates and times and to book your place.