Plans to restore Cumbria’s degraded peatlands have been given almost £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust has received the initial support for the Flagship Peatlands project so it can progress its plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.
The work will focus on two of the charity’s flagship nature reserves, Foulshaw Moss at Witherslack near Grange, and Skiddaw Forest.
In addition to restoring damaged peatlands, the aim of the project is to improve public access and raise public awareness of peatland habitats.
Susie Webb, acting peatland team manager at Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “We’re thrilled to receive this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“Public connection with peatlands is fairly low compared to other habitats.
“They’re often seen as bleak, barren places where you might get stuck or end up with wet feet, but they’re beautiful and important places. We aim to reverse the public perception and raise the profile of this Cinderella habitat.
“With our programme of activities and events, we hope everyone becomes as passionate as we are about protecting peatlands.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, as well as carrying out vital peatland conservation work we can now develop our plans for community outreach.
“We’ll be working with a wide range of local organisations including schools, transport companies and disability groups, to plan improved access to peatlands, and to enthuse and inspire people about these amazing and important habitats.
“Our aim is to ensure that Cumbria’s peatlands become healthy and truly accessible for everyone to enjoy, for generations to come.”
Healthy peatlands are important not only because they support a wide range of rare plants and animals. They also have a key role in tackling climate change.
They have huge benefits in terms of carbon storage and improving water quality.
Up to 95% of Cumbria’s peatlands are in poor condition. Due to historic management, they’ve dried out and become degraded and the carbon they store is now being released into the atmosphere. This also has a negative impact on their ability to store water and provide a home for a range of unique biodiversity.
With funding from the Heritage Fund, Cumbria Wildlife Trust said it would continue its ongoing peatland restoration work and produce plans to address these species losses, including studies into the possible reintroduction of specialist wildlife such as black grouse and the rosy marsh moth.
