WORKSHOP CONTENT & LEARNING OUTCOMES
Appeal for MTA members to volunteer to help National Trust to help remove invasive species from up on the high moors of the Peak District. While this event will carry 1 CPD point, more importantly it will provide a valuable opportunity to give something back to our uplands and at the same time learn about moorland conservation and restoration from experienced NT rangers.
National Trust’s Kinder and High Peak Estate are responsible for some of our highest and most appreciated Peak District moorland. On the fringes of some of these moors are substantial conifer plantations of Sitka Spruce. A consequence of this is that their wind-blown seed spreads over significant distances resulting in a lots of unwanted self-seeding Sitka Spruce trees appearing on these moor tops. These are considered invasive plants in such a sensitive upland bog environment and, given their substantial and rapidly increasing numbers, NT would very much welcome our help in pulling some out!
WHAT WILL THE WORK INVOLVE
Spending around 4 to 5 hours, working as part of a small team, supervised and directed by National Trust staff, walking across the moor, pulling out and removing such invasive Sitka spruce plants as we go. Along the way there will be lots to see and talk about with plenty of laughs to be had too I'm sure!
EQUIPMENT/KIT REQUIRED
You will need to bring sturdy walking boots (gaiters recommended) waterproofs, warm layers and hat i.e. all your usual kit for a full day out on the hill. In addition please bring a personal first aid kit.
You will also need a pair of heavy duty (gardening style) gloves. All other tools and equipment will be supplied by the National Trust.
CATERING/FOOD
No catering is provided, so please be sure to bring along sufficient food and drink for a full day working out on the hill. There are no toilets either of course.
WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE
Invasive species removal is already taking place so this means the precise removal site will not be selected until closer to the event. However it is likely to be on the moor tops on one side or another of the Snake Pass, as it crosses between Bleaklow and Kinder Scout, possibly Ashop Moor or Alport Moor (so meeting point will likely be the Birchen Clough Bridge lay-by on the A57 Snake Pass road, about one and a half miles east of the summit OS Grid Ref: SK 10935 91446).
National Trust will direct us from there up onto the moors and to the removal sites. This will mean some rough, pathless and sometimes boggy moorland walking, both to reach the sites and during the work.
WHO CAN TAKE PART
Any MTA or BMC member. No dogs though, sorry!
WORKSHOP PROVIDER CREDENTIALS
This event is being coordinated by MTA member, ML(summer) holder and BMC volunteer Peter Judd, but the activity itself will be supervised and directed by National Trust High Peak rangers.
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, therefore it is vital anyone signing up is serious about attending and takes the trouble to let us know, as well as cancelling their booking immediately, should they 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.