Mend Our Mountains Get Stuck In! Peak District - 12th October

LOCATION OF EVENT

PLEASE NOTE THE EXACT START POINT WILL BE CONFIRMED NEARER THE TIME AND MAY VARY SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THAT DESCRIBED BELOW

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 £6.60 for the day.

TYPE OF EVENT

Get Stuck In Volunteering Meet

Join other BMC members to help National Trust with conservation work on one of the Peak District’s high moor tops, in the vicinity of Kinder Scout, Bleaklow or the Upper Derwent Valley. The work will likely consist of activities such as Sitka spruce (an invasive species) tree removal or sphagnum moss planting or tree guard removal. This is a valuable opportunity to give something back to our treasured uplands and at the same time learn a little about moorland conservation too!

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.

Sphagnum moss is a key building block of peat and healthy blanket bog keeps the underlying peat banks safe. Sphagnum itself traps carbon (making such bogs some of our nation’s most important carbon stores) and due to its water retention properties it also helps reduce flooding and improves water quality. Restoring these bogs to health is a key contributor to fighting climate change.

The associated cloughs have, in recent years, benefited from a programme of native broadleaf tree planting that provides new habitat for a wide variety of animals and plants, as well as helping to reduce erosion and delaying water run-off, hence contributing to flood management downstream. These now established young trees need releasing from no-longer-needed tree support tubes, ridding the landscape of these unsightly guards.

Substantial plantations of Sitka spruce (belonging to others) exist on the fringes of these moors. These 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 bog restoration’s aim of re-wetting the moor by drying it and shading out other desirable vegetation.

NT, who are working hard to restore these moors to health and vitality, need our help to tackle all of these important tasks..

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 either plant sphagnum moss or cut down small Sitka saplings or tending to tree saplings or some similar conservation task. There will be a steep uphill walk of less than an hour’s duration at the beginning to reach the conservation site and then we will be moving across the boggy, wet and rough moorland carrying out the tasks required, using the tools provided as we go. While the work will be relatively physically demanding, it should be well withing the capabilities of reasonably fit hill goers. There will be lots to see, learn and talk about in conversation with the highly knowledgeable NT rangers and likely plenty of fun and laughter to be had too!

EQUIPMENT/KIT REQUIRED

You will need to bring sturdy (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 too as sometimes the vegetation we work among can be 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, old heather and gully systems in the peat are a significant hazard and can hide small holes etc. The tussocks and shrubs are a significant trip hazard that could cause sprained ankles (though suitable footwear helps mitigate 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 should also bring a pair of heavy duty (gardening style) gloves (although if you forget them NT should 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.

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, energetic day working out on the hill. There are also no public toilets either, of course, just whatever natural cover you can find.

WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?

PLEASE NOTE THE EXACT START POINT WILL BE CONFIRMED NEARER THE TIME AND MAY VARY SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THAT DESCRIBED BELOW

We will meet as described in LOCATION OF EVENT above. NT will take us from here to access the place we will work using their transport and walking on foot.

WHEN WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?

There are two dates (bookable separately) Sunday 12th October and Sunday 9th November. You will need to arrive at the appointed car parking place by 9 am to be ready to depart with National Trust staff at 9.30 am prompt. This car park fills up quickly at weekends so we strongly recommend arriving in plenty of. We’ll aim to return to our cars by 4 pm.

WHO CAN TAKE PART

This is open to BMC members and accompanying friends, over 18.

All participants must book a place in advance.

No dogs.

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 place and lets Peter Judd know, to free up their space, straight away.

ACTIVITY PROVIDER CREDENTIALS

This event is being coordinated by BMC 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.