WORKSHOP CONTENT & LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learn about high moorland & upland bog restoration work on the Peak District’s high moor tops, while volunteering alongside NT’s Kinder and High Peak Estate. This event will provide an excellent opportunity to give something back to our uplands and at the same time learn about moorland habitat, the flora and fauna it supports, how and why it is being restored to better heath, all from highly knowledgeable and dedicated professional rangers.
The work we will carry out is likely to be one of the following: sphagnum planting, sitka spruce (invasive species) removal or tree guard removal.
WHY IS THE WORK NECESSARY?
National Trust’s Kinder and High Peak Estate contains some of our highest and most appreciated Peak District moorland with their steep sided cloughs (ravines) on the margins.
These moors are home to some of the nation’s most significant blanket upland bog. Sphagnum moss is a key building block of peat and healthy blanket bog keeps the underlying peat banks safe. Sphagnum traps carbon dioxide (making such bogs some of our nation’s most important carbon stores) and due to its water retention properties it also helps reduce flooding and improves water quality. Restoring these bogs to health including strategic planting of more sphagnum is a key contributor to fighting climate change.
The associated cloughs have, in recent years, benefited from a programme of native broadleaf tree planting that provides new habitat for a wide variety of animals and plants, as well as helping to reduce erosion and delaying water run-off, hence contributing to flood management downstream. These now established young trees need releasing from no-longer-needed tree support tubes, ridding the landscape of these unsightly guards.
Substantial plantations of sitka spruce (belonging to others) exist on the fringes of these moors. These have resulted in sitka (itself a non-native, invasive species) self-seeding (carried by the wind) onto the moors beyond. The resulting saplings must go as they act against bog restoration’s aim of re-wetting the moor.
NT, who are working hard to restore these moors to health and vitality, need our help to tackle all of these important tasks..
WHAT WILL THE WORK INVOLVE?
Spending around 5-6 hours, working as part of a small team, supervised and directed by National Trust staff, walking up to and across the rough and boggy sometimes trackless moor to carry out one of the tasks listed above. There will likely be a fairly short steep uphill walk at the beginning, to reach the conservation site, and the same in reverse at the end. Whilst working we will be moving across the same trackless, boggy, wet and rough moorland. The work will be moderately physically demanding, yet well within the capabilities of reasonably fit hill goers. Along the way there will be lots to see, learn and talk about plus plenty of laughs too we hope!
The uneven ground in this area, mainly consisting of tough grass tussocks, woody heather shrubs, bilberry and peaty wet areas, forms a significant hazard as such growth can hide holes, gullies, etc. This terrain poses a significant trip hazard that could result in injuries, though good supportive footwear will mitigate this risk.
EQUIPMENT/KIT REQUIRED
You will need to bring sturdy and ideally waterproof walking boots with soles offering good grip (gaiters recommended), full waterproof jacket and over-trousers, sufficient warm layers, a first aid kit for personal use (+ any medication you need), warm gloves for the walk in/out and a hat i.e. all your usual kit for a full day out on the hill in autumn/winter. The moors can be inhospitable so plenty of warm layers are advised. If we’re lucky enough to have a sunny day a sun hat and some sunscreen may even be needed!
You will also need a pair of heavy duty (gardening style) gloves (although if you forget them NT may have a spare pair or two). All other tools and equipment (plus instructions how to use) will be supplied by the National Trust.
CATERING/FOOD
No catering is provided so please be sure to bring along sufficient food and drink (including a flask with a hot drink might be a good idea) for a full day working out on the hill. There are no public toilets either, of course.
WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?
PLEASE NOTE THE EXACT START POINT WILL BE CONFIRMED NEARER THE TIME AND SO MAY VARY FROM THAT DESCRIBED BELOW
Unless told otherwise nearer the time then we will meet at Birchen Clough Bridge lay-by (sometimes called Snake Woodlands lay-by) on the A57 Snake Pass, about one and a half miles east of the summit.
Google maps location: https://goo.gl/maps/v2AqaxuLkHvh91hU7
OS Grid Ref: SK 10916 91428; Lat/long: 53.4195,-1.8372; What3Words: ///thumps.jumbo.thrusters
WHEN WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?
The date is Sunday 13th October. We will need to arrive at the appointed car parking place at 9 am at the latest (it’s a very popular place so I recommend coming even earlier) to get ready, be briefed and transfer to National Trust transport sometime shortly before 9.30 am. We’ll be returned to our cars for around 4.00 pm.
WHO CAN TAKE PART
Any adult MTA or BMC member. No dogs, sorry!
WORKSHOP PROVIDER CREDENTIALS
This event is being coordinated by MTA member and BMC volunteer Peter Judd, a qualified Mountain Leader. (This event is also part of the BMC's ‘Mend Our Mountains’ ‘Get Stuck In’ volunteering activities) The volunteering activity itself will be supervised and directed by National Trust High Peak Estate rangers.
CANCELLATION PROCEDURE
It's important that we have sufficient numbers on the day to make this hopefully popular event worthwhile for the National Trust, therefore please only sign up if serious about attending. Be sure to let us know by email (as well as cancelling your booking immediately) should you find later they can no longer make it.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EVENT
Your CPD record - If you attend this event and it counts as CPD, your CPD point/s will automatically be added to your record in due course - you will not need to add it yourself.
Please allow up to 2 weeks for the workshop provider to complete the event in the system and assign you your CPD, thank you.