WORKSHOP CONTENT & LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learn about moorland conservation work on the Peak District’s high moor tops, adjacent to the Snake Pass (A57). The work will consist of removing invasive Sitka Spruce saplings from Alport Moor, above the Snake Pass. This event will provide both excellent learning and a valuable opportunity to give something back to our uplands by helping to restore these important habitats while also helping to fight climate change at the same time. NT staff will explain why these moor tops and peat bogs are so important, the flora and fauna they support and their role in carbon capture, the reasons why Sitka Spruce has become such a problem, as well as telling us more about their moorland restoration work in general and their wider work as rangers.

National Trust’s Kinder and High Peak Estate contains some of our highest and most appreciated Peak District moorland. These moors are home to some of the nation’s most significant sphagnum moss based peat bogs, themselves a huge and vital store of captured of carbon. The substantial plantations of Sitka Spruce that exist on the fringes of this moorland (belonging to others) 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 attempts to re-wet the moor! NT, who are working hard to restore these moors to health and vitality, need our help to tackle these important tasks. Hence this is crucial work in the fight against climate change.

WHAT WILL THE WORK INVOLVE?

After being taken as close as possible by a short NT Landrover journey, there’ll be an uphill walk followed by spending around 5 hours, working as part of a small team, supervised and directed by National Trust staff, walking across the trackless, rough, sometimes boggy and wet moor tops pulling out or chopping down the Sitka Spruce saplings we find as we go. The work will be physically demanding yet well withing the capabilities of reasonably fit hill goers. While doing this 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 and ideally waterproof walking boots (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 late 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 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?

Sitka Spruce removal will take place on the high moor tops adjacent to the A57 Snake Pass however the meeting point will (unless told otherwise nearer the time) be at Birchen Clough Bridge lay-by, sometimes called Snake Woodlands lay-by, on the A57 Snake Pass, OS grid ref. SK 109 914, about one and a half miles east of the summit.

National Trust will ferry volunteers from our cars, by Landrover, to the nearest road-head before a relatively short up-hill walk onto the moors and the tree removal site.

WHEN WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?

The date is Saturday 11th November. 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 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 - 4.30 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. However the 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 (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.

Start

11/11/2023 09:30

End

11/11/2023 16:00

Total Days

1

Maximum Bookings

12

Bookings

8

Venue

Birchen Clough lay-by parking, A57 Snake Pass

Town

Near Glossop

County

Derbyshire

Postcode

S33 0BJ

Country

United Kingdom

Latitude

53.41970

Longitude

-1.83700

Grid Reference

SK 10935 91446

Name

Mountain Training Association

Phone

+447753324485

Email