A South Cumbrian nature reserve is up for international funding award – and you can help it win!
Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, which is run by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, has been shortlisted by the European Outdoor Conservation Association in its international competition for funding to help continue restoring its peat bogs.
If it wins, it will be given £23,950.
Michelle Waller, senior development officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust explains more: “We’re delighted that Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve has been shortlisted.
“Members of the public are now being asked to vote for the winner and we’d love all Cumbrians to vote for Foulshaw Moss.
“Lots of people know about the famous ospreys who return to breed here each summer – but there’s a lot more to Foulshaw Moss, making it a very special place.
“It’s also an important habitat for red deer, rare dragonflies, and many birds.
“At 350 hectares, it provides vital links to neighbouring and nearby peatlands, allowing species to move around.
“We’ve been restoring the fantastic peatlands here for 28 years – it’s vital work as healthy bogs capture and lock away CO2, so that it doesn’t leak back into the atmosphere.
“Healthy peatlands are the UK’s largest carbon store – they store 28.5 million tonnes of CO2 in the Lake District alone!
“Being shortlisted for this award, we’re alongside some other really impressive environmental projects from all over the world, from Kenya and Argentina to the Czech Republic!
To vote for Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve go to www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
Public voting runs until noon on April 9.
If Cumbria Wildlife Trust wins, it will remove invasive plants, such as rhododendron and western hemlock, from 75 hectares of Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, create new habitat and improve existing areas, so that the peat holds more water and protects the existing bogs.
Michelle added: “We’ll also do outreach work with the public, share information with the 15,000 people who visit the nature reserve each year and make it possible for 300 local school children to visit Foulshaw Moss, to get close to nature and to learn about this important habitat.”
