WORKSHOP CONTENT & LEARNING OUTCOMES

Come volunteer with other MTA (as well as BMC members) helping National Trust with conservation work on one of the Peak District’s high moor tops, above the Upper Derwent Valley. The work will consist of Sitka spruce (an invasive species) sapling removal from Birchinlee Pasture (moor). This is a valuable opportunity to give something back to our treasured uplands. There'll be lots to learn and talk about concering moorland conservation and upland bog restoration with the highly knowledgable NT ranger team, from flora and fauna to bog re-wetting and healthy peat generation!

WHY IS THE WORK WORTHWHILE?

Much work has been done in recent years to restore to health the peat bog covered moortops that give our Dark Peak moorlands their essential character (not least by the Moors for the Future Partnership that includes National Trust). Peatlands are the UK’s single biggest store of carbon, storing the equivalent of 20 years of all UK CO2 emissions, keeping it out of the atmosphere (and sequestering more when in good health) so are a vital to our attempts to fight climate change. A crucial component in maintaining healthy bogs is to stop colonisation by invasive species, such as Sitka spruce, which presently self-seed from the forestry plantations found on some of our moor margins and are spreading widely.  These unsightly specimens, incongruous in such locations, are not destined to thrive on these nutrient poor and wind blasted moor tops and yet are being seen in high and increasing numbers. They counteract the work of upland bog restoration by both drawing water from the ground, hence drying it, and also shading out vital sunlight light from underlying sphagnum moss, they must go!

WHAT WILL THE WORK INVOLVE?

Spending around 5 or so hours, working as part of a small team, supervised and directed by National Trust staff, walking across the rough and boggy, mostly trackless moor to cut down small Sitka saplings. There will be a steep uphill walk at the beginning to reach the conservation site and then we will be moving across the boggy, wet and rough moorland cutting down the Sitka using the tools provided as we go. The work will be relatively physically demanding, yet well withing the capabilities of reasonably fit hill goers.

LOCATION OF EVENT

Derwent Overlook roadside car park, west side of Ladybower Reservoir, Derbyshire, S33 0AQ. OS Grid Reference SK 173 889 [View in google maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/NjVAVw6qh3kqs6pN9] What3words ///worms.vase.butternut

Please note: this is a Peak District National Park car park and charges apply (machine DOES NOT take card payments, it's cash or use the Ringo app. ) which, at the time of writing, is £4.75 for the day.

EQUIPMENT/KIT REQUIRED

You will need to bring sturdy (reasonably water resistant) walking boots with grippy soles (gaiters recommended), full waterproofs, warm inner layers plus a warm hat, i.e. all your usual kit for a full day out on the hill in winter. The moors can be inhospitable, so plenty of warm layers are advised. Be sure you can cover your arms while working as Sitka can be a little scratchy. A small personal first aid kit for your own use is worthwhile (and don’t forget any medication you usually carry.)

Uneven ground in this area, mainly from the molinia grass tussocks and gully systems in the peat, are a significant hazard and can hide small holes etc. The tussocks are a significant trip hazard too that could cause sprained ankles (though suitable footwear mitigates this).

The event is planned to finish well within the hours of available daylight, but daylight hours at this time of year are short so participants must bring a small torch/head torch in case an emergency results in a very severe delay to the event.

You will also need a pair of heavy duty (gardening style) gloves (although if you forget them NT will have spares). You may also appreciated bringing a spare pair of warm gloves  too, to pop on between work periods or at the end of the day.

All other tools and equipment (plus instruction in their use) will be supplied by the National Trust.

WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?

We will meet as described in LOCATION OF EVENT above (please note there is a charge for parking at this National Park car park, at the time of writing it's £4.75.  NT will take us from here up to Birchinlee Pasture using their transport and walking on foot.

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 also no public toilets either, of course, just what natural cover you can find.

WHO CAN TAKE PART

This is open to MTA members over 18. All participants must book a place in advance. Sorry, no dogs.

WORKSHOP PROVIDER CREDENTIALS

This event is being coordinated by BMC & MTA volunteer Peter Judd, a qualified Mountain Leader. The conservation activity itself will be supervised and directed on the day by National Trust High Peak professional rangers with Peter assisting.

CANCELLATION PROCEDURE

It's crucial that there are sufficient numbers on the day to make this, likely very popular, event worthwhile for the National Trust. So it is important anyone unable to come cancels their booking and lets Peter Judd know, to free up their space, straight away.

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.

Start

30/03/2025 09:00

End

30/03/2025 16:00

Total Days

1

Maximum Bookings

14

Bookings

10

Venue

Derwent Overlook car park, beside Ladybower Reservoir

Town

Bamford

County

Derbyshire

Postcode

S33 0AQ

Country

United Kingdom

Latitude

53.39640

Longitude

-1.72869

Grid Reference

SK 173 889

Name

Mountain Training Association

Phone

07753324485

Email